“He’s won [three] in a row. How many have I won? Seven in a row. I’ve cleaned out the division for this guy. Listen, I’ve got more wins under me in a row than he does, I’ve beat the best, I’ve beat the No. 1 [in Johny Hendricks], I’ve beat the No. 2 [in Rory MacDonald] – not just in a five-round fight; [Hendricks] was in the first round… I’m not going to say he’s scared, because I know he’s not scared. He wants that money fight, but I think I’m going to be making more money when I put this foot upside his head. I’m just telling you. It’s going to happen. This is my division, baby. That’s it.”
-Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson plead his case for a title fight with new UFC Welterweight Champ Tyron Woodley during the UFC 201 post-fight show on Fox Sports 1 (transcribed by MMAJunkie.com).
Penick’s Analysis: Thompson 100% has earned his shot to fight for the UFC Welterweight Title. It’s not the fight that’s going to get Woodley what may be one significantly major payday in his career. That it means Woodley may wind up defending the title against someone who either hasn’t been in the mix for years in GSP or someone who in no way belongs in a “title” fight in 2016 in Nick Diaz is unfortunate. But it’s reality, and those fights would simply sell to a wider fan base than the deserving challenger getting his opportunity. Because of that Thompson may wind up needing to rack up an eighth straight win. The UFC’s decision to book Woodley against Robbie Lawler completely threw things into upheaval.
[Photo (c) Stephen R. Sylvanie via USA Today Sports]
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