Welterweight champion Tyron Woodley (16-3-1 MMA, 6-2-1UFC) defended his title for the first time at UFC 205 on Saturday Nov 12th as he faced off against Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson (13-1-1 MMA, 8-1-1 UFC). These two fighters met in the co-main event marking the second of three title fights on this historic card inside Madison Square Garden.
‘The Chosen One’ defended his status as champion of the division with a majority draw in what was a five round battle with Thompson. Speaking about the co-main event at the 205 post-fight press conference White looked keen to arrange Woodley vs Thompson II.
“I think that it was a draw and the fight was ridiculous. It was the fight of the night. Let’s do it again.”
Thompson an undefeated amateur and professional kickboxer brought a seven fight win streak with him into UFC 205 which included victories over the likes of Johnny Hendricks, Jake Ellenberger and former UFC title challenger Rory MacDonald who defeated the current champion back at UFC 174.
It was a constant back and forth battle between the two men with Woodley taking the first round, after the feeling out period of the fight the champion caught a low kick of Wonderboy’s throwing him to his back, Woodley began to work from half guard and controlled his opponent before opening up Thompson late in the round after reigning down a number of hard elbows.
When the fighters came out for the second round it was the challenger who took centre of the Octagon keeping Woodley’s back to the cage as he began to open up landing a number of clean strikes. Woodley was very inactive during the second round surging forward with a combination from time to time but nothing of any real significance.
The third round could have went to either man, with Thompson taking control of the fight throwing from range before attacking in quick bursts throughout the round. Despite being on the back foot Woodley showed his great counter punching skills catching Wonderboy multiple times but with his back to the fence it would be difficult for the judges to have voted this round in his favour.
As we entered the championship rounds of what was an evenly contested fight it was that big right hand from Woodley that made the difference. The T bomb connected with Thompson dropping him to his knees with the champ following up with some heavy strikes that looked to have put Thompson away.
The American then looked to sink a deep guillotine choke and nearly finished the fight but the resilience of Wonderboy was something to be admired and it payed off. Thompson ended up in top position late in the round which gave him the opportunity to land some elbows and punches of his own.
Entering the final round neither men looked to have much left in the tank but even after the onslaught he took in the previous round it was Thompson who pushed the pace. The strikes started to flow for the challenger who was definitely the more active fighter. After putting all his energy into the guillotine choke in the previous round Woodley looked like he was running on empty throwing very little allowing Thompson to grow in confidence. Wonderboy made one last attack for the title landing a perfect counter staggering the champ late in the round but was unable to finish the fight.
Both men put everything on the line in this fight Thompson looked to be the most active fighter throughout but seemingly it was Woodley who had the biggest moments of the fight in the first and especially the fourth round which was considered a 10-8 on the scorecard.
The official scores from the judges were announced but not without some confusion. At first Woodley was declared a majority decision winner, which was clearly wrong with the scores being 47-47, 47-47, 48-47.
Post-fight Woodley has left the decision on his next opponent in the hands of the UFC meanwhile Thompson will accept nothing short of a rematch for the title. There are a number of different options next for the champion; 39 year old Demian Maia looks to be making one last run for the title currently riding a six fight win streak including a first round demolition on Carlos Condit in August.
Despite the announcement that Conor McGregor will be taking some time away from the sport this hasn’t stopped the talk of a potential match up with the champion of the 170 lbs division. As we grew closer to UFC 205 friction began to grow between the two. From stare downs backstage to tweeting one another which included McGregor calling Woodley a “b*tch, a common dislike for one another has seemingly started to grow.
Woodley admits he would take the fight if things develop but sees it as a no win situation for himself.
“I just don’t think Conor understands the pressure I can put on him and the power I can put on him and all the different attacks,” he said. “I think it’s good for media, but in general, man, I don’t know how I can win. If I beat him, everyone’s going to say I’m supposed to beat him and that he’s a former featherweight. And if I lose to him, we know what’s going to happen there.”
Dana White has a big decision to make, Stephen Thompson has a very good chance at securing a rematch, if not he is only one fight away from another title shot.
