UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley recently said that he would be defending the gold against a yet to be named opponent this July.
While UFC President Dana White stated that Demian Maia is the top contender for the gold, the champion feels a little differently.
"I think those fights (Georges St. Pierre & Nick Diaz) are way more real than you guys realize,” Woodley said to ESPN. “I was teasing everyone for several weeks, but that wasn't for giggles. Those are realistic options that could make Demian Maia take a back seat for a little bit."
Woodley has only defended the belt twice since he won it, with both title defenses coming against Stephen Thompson.
The champion readily admits that Maia is one of the most dangerous specialists in all the UFC, which would change the manner in which he trains.
"He is one of the last specialists in the UFC. He and Stephen Thompson are two of the last specialists in the sport and they just so happen to be in my weight class, right near the top. Training for Wonderboy's karate, two times in a row -- they were the most annoying camps of my life. He's so good at what he does. I was a little frustrated with people at the FOX studios this weekend. They were laughing and jumping on my back like Maia does in fights. When I fight these specialists, I can't be free in camp. I can't be free in a fight. I can't fight the way I normally would against a traditional, freestyle fighter. Now, I might have to go back to a similar training camp," says Woodley.
Although a event has yet to be set for Woodley’s next title defense, UFC 213 or UFC 214 are the most like events.
