Tyron Woodley wants to return in July, so why is the promotion creating an interim title?
Tyron Woodley wants to return in July, so why is the promotion creating an interim title?
Tyron Woodley captured his UFC welterweight title by scoring a jaw dropping first-round knockout victory over Robbie Lawler in the main event of UFC 201 in July of 2016.
“The Chosen One” would go on to defend his title on three occasions over the next thirteen months, which included two closely contested battles with Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson and his most recent win over Demian Maia at UFC 214 this past August.
With that said, many fight fans were left shocked when news broke Thursday morning that the promotion would be creating an interim title for the welterweight division.
Breaking! According to multiple sources close to the situation, the UFC is targeting an interim welterweight title fight between Rafael dos Anjos and Colby Covington for #UFC224 on May 12 in Rio. Nothing is official yet, but it sounds like the deal could be finalized soon. #UFC
— Chris Taylor (@CTaylor_96) March 22, 2018
As per the report, top division contenders Rafael dos Anjos and Colby Covington will compete for the promotions interim welterweight title at UFC 224 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The UFC’s decision left many fans and fighters scratching their heads, as Tyron Woodley has just recently stated that he planned to return to the octagon this July, preferably at UFC 226.
Obviously the current 170-pound UFC champion was not impressed by the news, as he tweeted the following response to Ben Askren on Twitter.
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) March 22, 2018
The most likely reason for the UFC’s decision to create an interim welterweight title for May’s Covington vs. “RDA” matchup is to help boost pay-per-view buys for the UFC 224 event.
Prior to Thursday’s news UFC 224 only featured one title fight, a women’s bantamweight title fight between current champ Amanda Nunes and surging division contender Raquel Pennington.
What do you think of the UFC’s decision to make another interim title, this time in the welterweight division? Sound off PENN Nation!
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