“What’s going through my mind is ‘what is this guy talking about?’ I mean he just got the title and he’s already talking about a money fight and trying to choose his opponents. It just doesn’t make sense for him to win the title and then start asking to face guys who haven’t fought in over a year or even three years. Fight the guy who deserves it. Fight the guy standing right in front of you. Fight the guy who is the legit No. 1 contender. That’s me… This is my chance and he’s just taking it away from me. The UFC and Robbie gave him his chance even though a lot of people didn’t think he deserved it. Now that he is [the champion], why can’t he give the rightful guy his chance? For him to just get the belt and start asking for money fights? Come on, man. You need to defend the title one or two times or three times or maybe four times like Robbie before you’d ask for a really big money fight.”
-Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson talks to FoxSports.com about Tyron Woodley’s desire to skip over him as the first title challenger for a bigger “money” fight.
Penick’s Analysis: Thompson’s got every right to be frustrated, but while he can criticize Woodley all he wants the criticism is misguided if the UFC decides to book something else. The UFC has fostered the environment that even allows Woodley to go this route, and given the fact that he’s not been paid at anywhere close to the level he thinks he should earn to date means he needs to do what he can do to maximize what he gets with that belt on his waist. Thompson’s without question the most deserving challenger, but that’s rarely been the sole deciding factor for the UFC in booking title fights. If Thompson doesn’t get his shot then it’s the UFC who took it from him, not Woodley.
[Photo (c) Stephen R. Sylvanie via USA Today Sports]
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