Tyron Woodley: Georges St-Pierre wants to fight me for the welterweight title

By Jonathan Bradley
Published

Almost immediately after his stunning knockout win over Robbie Lawler at UFC 201, newly minted welterweight champion Tyron Woodley made it clear he was looking to take on the best fighters in the biggest bouts possible during his reign as 170-pound king.

That list included former Strikeforce champion Nick Diaz, but after some miscommunication, Woodley turned his focus solely on former UFC welterweight champion and all-time great, Georges St-Pierre.

Some complained that Woodley wasn’t in position to call his shot and should give Stephen Thompson a chance to fight for the belt, while others simply felt that Woodley wasn’t a big enough draw to lure GSP out of retirement. Well, Woodley sent a message to all the detractors today on his podcast, The Morning Wood, where he confirmed that both he and GSP are interested in the bout and have even spoken to each other about it.

“I’ve already spoken to the lineal champion, the No. 1 welterweight, the pound-for-pound one of the greatest in the sport. His interest is fighting me,” Woodley said. “Georges St-Pierre wants to fight me. And guess what? I want to fight him. There’s honor in it. If I’m going to put it on the line, risk it, I want to know that I at least had the opportunity to prove to myself that I am the best welterweight to ever grace the damn Octagon, and if he’s going to give me that chance, I can give a hell less.”

St-Pierre hasn’t fought since a split decision victory over Johny Hendricks at UFC 167 in 2013. But he’s been very vocal as of late about a potential comeback, saying that he wants his first fight back to be against someone who gives him “chills,” and creates enough buzz to make it financially worth his time.

And according to Woodley, GSP thinks “The Chosen One” is worth ending his three-year hiatus and re-igniting his contract negotiations with the UFC.

“Georges St-Pierre definitely wants to fight me. I’ve had a conversation with Georges St-Pierre. He’s interested in the bout, and we’re going to make the bout happen.”