Former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley is setting his sights on moving to higher weight class in a chance to fight Israel Adesanya.
The middleweight champion has been undefeated in eight outings and not even the scariest fighter at 185 pounds in Yoel Romero could deal him his first loss.
At UFC 248 last month, Adesanya escaped the Cuban powerhouse with a unanimous decision victory in what many fans described as one of the ‘most boring title fights’ in UFC history.
Woodley, meanwhile, hasn’t fought since losing the welterweight belt to Kamaru Usman last year, which ended his three-year reign as the king of 170 pounds.
Of course, ‘The Chosen One’ wants his throne back and once he reclaims the welterweight title, he is planning to move up to the middleweight division to take on the ‘Last Stylebender.’
Not Playing Games
In a recent Instagram live session, the 38-year old American outlined his plans for his UFC return that includes wiping out the welterweight division before making the middleweight move.
“I’m just getting started,” Woodley said (transcript from Bloody elbow).
“I’m not going to act like I’m going to be here until I’m 45, but I’m not going anywhere for a while. I’ve got a lot of people and mouths to shut up. And then I want to spend some time at middleweight too.”
“I’ve got to clean up the (welterweight) division. Three or four fights in the welterweight division, and when I feel like I can comfortably say that I’ve wiped everybody out, then I want to go up there and see what Izzy is about.”
“I’m going straight for the belt (if I move up), whoever its at. I ain’t going up to play games. I’m already a five-time world champion.”
Not Impressed
The former welterweight champion said he is not a fan of Adesanya’s skill sets, saying the Kiwi-Nigerian is scared of fighters known for their power.
“I don’t think he’s as dope as everybody is saying,” Woodley added.
“I think he’s great, but everyone is making him out like he’s some phenomenon. I’ve seen some exposure in the Gastelum fight — somebody I walked through.”
“I’ve seen some exposure in the Yoel Romero fight, he’s scared of guys with power. One thing that Yoel and I have in common — not the same — is power, explosiveness.”
“It didn’t seem like he was trying to deal with that at all.”
What do you think of Tyron Woodley’s plan of moving up to middleweight class? Will he beat Israel Adesanya in a future fight?
(Featured Image Source: YouTube/ MMA Fighting and Instagram/ Israel Adesanya)