Morning Report: Tyron Woodley blasts Johny Hendricks, says Stephen Thompson needs to fight Rory MacDonald
It's been an interesting few days for Tyron Woodley.
The supposed No. 1 UFC welterweight contender watched Stephen Thompson score the win of his career last weekend when he became the first to TKO former champ Johny Hendricks.
Fans, media and Thompson seem to think the win earned him the next crack at Robbie Lawler, but Woodley isn't about to let it slide. Woodley was due to face Hendricks, a longtime rival dating back to their NCAA wrestling days, at UFC 192 in October but that bout was scrapped after Hendricks suffered an intestinal blockage and kidney stones cutting weight.
"I had to get off my Twitter," Woodley said on his podcast. "People telling me, 'You haven't fought for a year. [Thompson] went out there and beat the No. 1 guy.' OK, why didn't I beat the No. 1 guy? [Hendricks'] lack of commitment to the sport and that bout [at UFC 192]. I'm starting to think he was scared to fight. I never believed that, but the fact that he didn't even make it to the scale, it forfeited my opportunity to have a performance like that, to do what I've trained to do.
"Should I be penalized for that? I've been the only guy that's been professional, making weight, going out there and fighting, taking short notice fights, doing favors for the UFC. Because [Thompson] fights the person I was supposed to fight he should jump over me? That's a joke. That's kind of comical."
Woodley isn't looking to take anything away from Thompson, but says the Karate fighter still isn't a proven commodity. Thompson needs one more marquee win to get that title shot, according to Woodley.
"He went out and got his damn name out there Saturday night when he roughed-up Johny," Woodley said of Thompson. "He didn't earn a title shot, but he put himself in position. I feel like he should fight one more fight, maybe against Rory MacDonald, maybe Carlos Condit. Another long striker so we can see how he does with a striker who can deal with that. Then he's ready to roll."
As for Hendricks, Woodley thinks the former champ lost the fight before he ever stepped into the Octagon.
"He was so worried about the weight," Woodley said of Hendricks. "He wanted to shut up all the naysayers. I think the focus should have been more on the gameplan, on preparing him for that style of a matchup. I guarantee you he didn't bring in the right training partners to prepare him for that unorthodox style. He didn't take him lightly like Jake Ellenberger did. He didn't have the proper preparation. He was weighting 174 pounds on Tuesday. That's stupid. Your body has no nutrition. You basically held your body for a week because you wanted to prove to everybody that you can make weight.
"The first round, he looked terrible. He looked like he was done. He looked like it was the sixth round. We've seen Johny take some hard punches. He can take a punch. This guy got hit with a back kick that hit his arm and shoulder, not even the face. His brain was dehydrated which made it easier for him to be concussed. It was sad to watch, to be honest."
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MEDIA STEW
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Highlights from around the world.
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TTTHS.
Long watches.
...
...
TWEETS
Excuses.
Excuse of the week: I wasn't comfortable at the weight division before
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) February 9, 2016
Comfortable making Dan Henderson look like a child, uncomfortable fighting the champ
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) February 9, 2016
News?
Announcement news coming soon. This has been an interesting process. #MMA #ContractDecision
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) February 10, 2016
Bro fight tech.
#dotninja technique of the week, misdirection. I needed these glasses in last fight.
Posted by Ryan Bader on Tuesday, February 9, 2016
The enemy.
Crossing training is nothing new. Pls RT as some seem not to understand this FACT!
— LudwigMartialArtscom (@DUANEBANGCOM) February 9, 2016
Beef.
. @bjpenndotcom How'd March 5th work out for ya, Stupid? .... @ChuckMindenhall
— Nik Lentz (@NikLentz) February 9, 2016
One she can't hit.
Hey @ufc and @WonderboyMMA -- I have a message for you, too! pic.twitter.com/eGVo7BXFqK
— Hope Solo (@hopesolo) February 10, 2016
Honeymoon.
.@BensonHenderson experiencing @nyknicks hoops tonight at the Garden #NYKvsWAS #BellatorNation pic.twitter.com/M2C0we30ir
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) February 10, 2016
Happy holidays.
#NationalPizzaDay = burnt roof of ur mouth day.
— Danny Castillo (@lastcall155) February 10, 2016
Me: time to stop being a fat lard
— David Michaud (@bulldawgUFC) February 9, 2016
Twitter: It's #NationalPizzaDay !!!
Me: one more day won't hurt
FEAST MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS. LET THE STREETS RUN RED WITH MARINARA SAUCE.
— Andre Fili (@TouchyFili) February 9, 2016
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Feb. 9 2016)
Michael Page out, Gilbert Smith vs. Fernando Gonzalez at Bellator 151
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