EXCLUSIVE | Stephen Thompson “Nick Diaz being offered a title shot is just annoying”

Top ranked welterweight contender Stephen Thompson will get his second chance at UFC gold on March 4 in Las Vegas when he rematches current division champion Tyron Woodley in the main event of UFC 209.

“Wonderboy” and “The Chosen One” first met at this past November’s historic UFC 205 fight card in New York, where after five-rounds of gruelling back and forth action the fight was declared a majority draw by the judges in attendance.

Immediately following their ‘fight of the night’ performance at UFC 205, UFC President Dana White announced that an immediate rematch between Thompson and Woodley would be put together by UFC officials.

However, BJPENN.com’s Chris Taylor was able too confirm through sources that prior to Thompson’s rematch with Woodley being made official, the Ultimate Fighting Championship had actually offered Nick Diaz a shot at Tyron’s welterweight title. The bout agreement sent to Diaz was for the same date (UFC 209), but the “Stockton Slugger” subsequently opted to decline the UFC’s offer due to money.

When Taylor broke the news of Diaz being offered the Woodley fight to Thompson, who was previously unaware of the proposed deal, “Wonderboy” went off:

“I wasn’t aware of that at all. (That the UFC offered Nick Diaz a fight with Tyron Woodley for UFC 209). I knew there was rumors floating around but yea I think that is crap! It’s just bogus. I mean here is a guy (Diaz), he has a name yes, but he hasn’t fought in how long? You know. I mean his last fight was Anderson Silva well over a year ago and so that is just bullcrap. I just think that kind of thing is just crap man.”

He continued:

“Nick’s last win was against BJ Penn and that was so long ago. So I don’t know what the UFC is playing at. But it is definitely kind of disappointing. I mean to hear that now that he was actually offered a title shot against Tyron. Come on. The thing is there are a lot of guys way more deserving. Like even if I didn’t get the fight, there is a lot of guys way more deserving than Nick Diaz. Guys like a Demian Maia. Who should definitely have been the one getting the opportunity if it wasn’t me. So yea not Nick. That kind of thing is just annoying.”

Do you think Stephen Thompson will be able to emerge victorious when he rematches Tyron Woodley in the main event of UFC 209 on March 4 in Las Vegas? Sound off PENN Nation!

on January 22, 2017.