Tyron Woodley would like Nick Diaz or Georges St-Pierre for first title defense
Fresh off his first-round knockout of Robbie Lawler to claim the welterweight title, Tyron Woodley wasted no time taking aim at his next opponent.
While Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson is the most deserving candidate based on accomplishments and rankings, Woodley already is looking past him in favor of a couple of potential bouts that could score him a huge payday.
Woodley spoke to FS1 just minutes after his victory and said he'd like to fight Stockton bad boy Nick Diaz for his first title defense, suggesting they face off in three weeks at UFC 202 in Las Vegas.
"I think Nick Diaz comes off suspension in two days, he's a money fight, I've been in this game, I'm a O.G., I've been here for a while and I want to make the big dough," Woodley said. "So if he wants to fight in August with his brother Nate Diaz, I think me and him and share that event. I'm uninjured, August, I'm ready to go 202. Let's make the money.
"I think he deserves it, I think he's put enough butts in the seats, he deserves to make that payday. So, let's go get it."
UFC 202 is headlined by Nate Diaz facing Conor McGregor in one of the biggest cards of the year, so it's no wonder Woodley wants to fight on the same show considering he'd also cash in on pay-per-view buys as the welterweight champion.
Woodley further explained that he's finally in a position to make some serious money as champion and there's no need to waste time, so he'd rather gun for the biggest fights in the division now.
"I want to make some money now, I'm going to be honest. The goal one is to be the welterweight champion of the world, but I put in too much time, I'm away from my family way too often. This is a sport where we can make cash now," Woodley said. "So instead of just saying this person deserves it, he worked his way through the rankings, I think Nick Diaz comes off suspension in two days, I would love to fight him on 202.
"I know his brother's fighting. I think he deserves it. He's a guy that's been around the sport, he puts a lot of butts in the seats, sold a lot of pay-per-views. So why not put him on a big card with Conor and his brother. I know he's training already, and let him cash out. I'm willing to give him that opportunity."
While it's highly unlikely the UFC would shift Woodley into another fight in just three weeks against Nick Diaz, the new champion has another idea in mind for another big pay day if a certain Canadian is available and ready to fight by November.
"I would like to fight Georges St-Pierre in New York City," Woodley added.
St-Pierre has stated that he's ready to return to action if he's able to negotiate a new contract with the UFC, and a fight with Woodley at the upcoming card in Madison Square Garden on Nov. 5 would sell a lot of tickets.
Woodley didn't seem nearly as interested by a potential showdown with Thopmson, especially after the prolific karate kid picked Lawler to beat him.
Since Thompson thought Lawler would win and that would be the fighter he'd face next, Woodley says now he can get his wish.
"Stephen Thompson said he wanted to fight Robbie Lawler," Woodley said. "He said it was a better matchup. The fans would be excited to watch that. He'll get the opportunity to have that fight."
