VIDEO | Tyron Woodley: “I’m the best welterweight to ever fight in the Octagon”

Earlier this week, we learned that former welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre and the UFC had buried the hatchet and agreed on the terms for a new contract. This, of course, means that we can expect to see St-Pierre back in the cage sometime in the next few months.

Given that St-Pierre is considered the best welterweight of all time, this is an undeniably massive development. According to Tyron Woodley, however, who currently holds the UFC welterweight title, St-Pierre should no longer be considered the best welterweight ever. The welterweight champ believes he deserves that distinction himself.

Woodley explained this feeling in a recent interview with TMZ.

“I’m the best welterweight to ever fight in the Octagon, all I gotta do is keep winning to prove it,” he said. “I know I am that right now. My coaches know I am that right now. I’m more well rounded than Georges St-Pierre, I punch harder, and he was the GOAT, he was the greatest of all time. But I feel like I have the tools, I have the ability, and all I have to do is keep knocking them off, one by one, and eventually, I’ll be recognized as the greatest welterweight who ever fought in the Octagon.”

In the same interview with TMZ, Woodley touched briefly on his looming rematch with Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, and who he’d like to fight next if he beats Wonderboy. Apparently, Woodley is focused solely on this rematch with Wonderboy, as he understands it won’t matter who’s next if he doesn’t win.

“I don’t want to sound cliché, but if I don’t focus on Wonderboy, none of these fights are going to happen,” he said. “He’s going to get the Georges St-Pierre, the Conor McGregor, the Demian Maia, the Robbie Lawler, the Jorge Masvidal – he’s going to get those fights. Those are all fights that I see in my future, but obviously getting through him in a dominant fashion [is the most important thing].” 

Do you think Tyron Woodley can establish himself as the greatest welterweight ever? Sound off, PENN Nation!

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 2/19/2017.