Morning Report: Tyron Woodley calls out Nick Diaz for UFC 209
After winning the UFC welterweight title form Robbie Lawler at UFC 201 earlier this year, new champion Tyron Woodley immediately began angling for a title defense against either Georges St-Pierre or Nick Diaz despite general consensus among the MMA community being that Stephen Thompson was next in line. But St-Pierre was in a contract dispute with the UFC and Diaz had his own troubles with the Nevada Athletic Commission so Woodley fought Thompson at UFC 205, retaining his belt in a majority draw that many thought Woodley won. Afterwards, Dana White said an immediate rematch was warranted but yet again it seems Woodley would rather take a "money" fight with Diaz than standard defense against "Wonderboy."
Diaz has been in a strange state of limbo with the NAC stemming from a controversial 2015 failed drug test. After having his sentence reduced to 18 months, he failed to fully pay his fine and was thus barred from fighting in the state as well as cornering fighters, including his brother Nate Diaz. When Diaz reached an agreement with the NAC earlier this week to be fully reinstated for all fight activities, Woodley took to Twitter to call out the former Strikeforce welterweight champion.
@MMAFighting @arielhelwani Is @nickdiaz209 Free to Scrap to? Perfect time 4 #UFC209 I have the perfect person in mind @malkikawa @danawhite https://t.co/TFkN7YVLnG
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) December 7, 2016
Woodley has also been trying to set up a fight between himself and lightweight champion Conor McGregor but with Dana White recently announcing McGregor would be taking 10 months off, and with St-Pierre appearing to be quite far from returning, Woodley's options for a marquee match up were dwindling. Diaz's reinstatement affords Woodley another opportunity to fight a major draw in the sport.
Further more fighting Diaz on the 209 card would likely be bigger than an average PPV both because it's the UFC's debut in Brooklyn and because of the unique promotional aspect of it. The Diaz brothers hail from Stockton, Calif. which has the area code "209," something that's become a signature of the two, even resulting in UFC commentator Jon Anik getting a "209" tattoo after betting against Nate Diaz in his first fight with Conor McGregor. Though the card won't be held in California, the promotional material practically writes itself and the return of Nick Diaz is sure to garner a lot of interest. Conventional wisdom suggests it would certainly be a better financial option for Woodley than a rematch with Thompson or a defense against the other waiting contender, Demian Maia.
But doing so would also likely put off many fans who have already been vocal about Woodley's disinterest in fighting these challengers. After his comments post UFC 201 downplaying a fight with Thompson, Woodley was dubbed "The Choosey One" by a number of MMA fans (a play off his nom de guerre, "The Chosen One") and accused of "ducking" Thompson; this may be seen similarly considering the unsatisfying conclusion to their fight at UFC 205.
But for those fans who think Woodley is calling out Diaz just because he wants to avoid Thompson, he has a simple response:
@ZeeJohnes just like I did the first time right?
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) December 8, 2016
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MEDIA STEW
Embedded 3.
Luke talking about how sneaky fun UFC 206 is.
Forrest is growing on me in this role.
This dude is about to fight this weekend.
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Fight Society.
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TWEETS
Nice.
@FOXSportsAsia @RondaRousey No no no... it's halfway in the 3rd round. .
— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) December 8, 2016
Y'all mofos not slick #drugtest pic.twitter.com/BCtjw1p7PP
— Derrick Lewis (@Thebeast_ufc) December 8, 2016
Got em!!! @arielhelwani pic.twitter.com/PiTeopMrqL
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) December 8, 2016
They need a TV show.
How do you get an All-American anaconda off your back?! #ufcalbany pic.twitter.com/WQxlVkid8v
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) December 9, 2016
This was me on the @Ufc Welterweight Division #2016 #Repost @balleralert Tag a Friend. #ufcpic.twitter.com/N49rQh9NJ2
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) December 8, 2016
2017 I will claim the lhw title. Watch me do it.
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) December 8, 2016
WTF
I will not be kind and I will not be gentle. This is the real deal. https://t.co/gJ5eT8u0bP
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) December 8, 2016
Always wanted to do a show where I go take on big food challenges like man vs food. Would you watch me take on my toughest competitors yet?
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) December 8, 2016
Farewell.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Georgi Karakhanyan (26-6-1) vs. Emmanuel Sanchez (13-3); Bellator 170, January 21.
Raquel Pa'aluhi (5-5) vs. Pannie Kianzad (8-1); Invicta FC 21, January 14.
Jodie Esquibel (5-2) vs. DeAnna Bennett (8-2); Invicta FC 21, January 14.
Aspen Ladd (4-0) vs. Sijara Eubanks (2-1); Invicta FC 21, January 14.
Heather Hardy (0-0) vs. Brieta Carpenter (0-0); Invicta FC 21, January 14.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Big fight weekend. Everyone enjoy and see you back here on Monday.
If you find something you'd like to see in the Morning Report, just hit me up on Twitter @JedKMeshew and let me know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting because we post dope things and you should enjoy them.