Stephen Thompson Thinks Tyron Woodley Should be Stripped of Title if He Doesn’t Defend

By Tom Taylor - August 30, 2016

UFC welterweight Stephen Thompson has put in the work, racking up seven-straight wins, including triumphs over fighters like Robert Whittaker, Jake Ellenberger, Johny Hendricks and Rory MacDonald. Now, all he wants his a welterweight title shot–ideally at UFC 205 in New York City this November.

Stephen Thompson discusses Tyron Woodley

Unfortunately, UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, who won the the belt by snuffing Robbie Lawler in July, seems to have other plans. If the new champ has his way, his first defense will be a ‘money fight’ opposite welterweight great Georges St-Pierre, or fan favorite Nick Diaz–not against Thompson.

Unsurprisingly, Thompson is not especially impressed by Woodley’s attitude. In fact, Thompson believes that Woodley should be stripped of his title if he continues to avoid a fight with him.

“I know he wants that money fight, but what champion who really has had the belt around their waist for 30 seconds says, ‘Hey, give me a money fight’? I was kind of laughing in my head,” Thompson told Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie. “If he’s refusing somebody…a champion refusing to fight somebody? Then yeah [he should be stripped].”

“I think he’s just coming up with excuses why not to face me.”

So, do you think Thompson will eventually get his wish? Or will he have to take another fight–perhaps opposite BJJ whiz Demian Maia–while Woodley gets his money fight. Sound off PENN nation!


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Stephen Thompson