Exclusive | Tyron Woodley discusses a potential bout with Conor McGregor and explains why it would not be a good idea for the Irishman
UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley will look to defend his title for the first time in the co-main attraction of next month’s UFC 205 event in New York when he takes on top contender Stephen Thompson.
That same evening at Madison Square Garden, current UFC featherweight title holder Conor McGregor will move up a weight class to challenge current UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez for his 155-pound strap.
“The Chosen One” was a recent guest on BJPENN.com’s Rapid Fire segment with host Chris Taylor where he was asked to discuss the possibility of a potential fight with “Mystic Mac” and how that fight would play out. Here is what “T-Wood” had to say on the matter:
“Well first off I think Conor is a smart individual and he knows that fighting me is not going to be good for his health.” Woodley stated laughing. “I just do not really see him wanting that fight. I see him relinquishing his 145-pound belt and then maybe defending his title a few times at lightweight. Maybe he does a super-fight here or there. There has been talks of him fighting Floyd Mayweather in boxing. Whatever he is going to do is going to make a lot of sense for him. It will likely be a win-win situation for him you know. Like even if he loses to Eddie it is not all bad. With his two bouts with Diaz he will have now fought three times in a row outside the division (featherweight) and he still holds the belt. So he is a smart business guy and so I do not think he is going to want to come up and fight a guy who is going to outsize him. Being 170 and fighting 170 is two different things. I walk around at 200. Giving up that 30-pounds. Plus he is not going to have a boxing advantage. He is definitely not going to have a wrestling advantage. He is definitely not going to have a strength advantage. And it would be a lopsided display of power. I just really do not think there is any advantage to him having that fight with me. I will not be discouraged by his antics or him talking crap. So to answer your question… I do not think Conor McGregor has any interest in coming for the welterweight strap. But if we both get through are fights with victories and he wants to fight me then by all means haha. Sign me up now. I would actually feel bad about beating Conor McGregor. Like man, I just beat a guy who is 145. Granted, I would make a truck load of money. But it is not a situation that I would walk around with my chest pumped out afterward.”
Do you agree with Tyron Woodley, or do you think Conor McGregor would in fact be interested in moving up to challenge for the UFC’s welterweight title if he is to defeat Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205? Sound off PENN Nation!
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Conor McGregor Exclusive MMA Interviews Tyron Woodley