UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley hasn’t defended the gold since defeating Stephen Thompson by decision at UFC 209.
However, the champion has now issued a challenge to Demian Maia for a title bout this July at UFC 214.
“If you want a showdown with me, you have to meet me July 29, that’s the date,” Woodley said on UFC Tonight. “The challenger can’t pick the date. You want my belt. So therefore I accept the challenge July 29. If you want to get it on, let’s do it, sign the paperwork. You don’t need a vacation. You just had a three-round grappling match. You didn’t get hardly hit. Let’s get it on.”
Maia himself last competed at UFC 211, where he soundly defeated Jorge Masvidal by unanimous decision.
Woodley also states that Maia doesn’t want to fight again until 2018, which doesn’t work for the champion.
“He wanted to fight in 2018 from the looks of it but I can’t wait that long. July 29 is a great date for me with the belt, so if you want it, let’s get it,” says Woodley.
UFC 214 takes place on Saturday, July 29 from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California with Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
