When UFC president Dana White took to the microphone to lay into his welterweight champion, Tyron Woodley, at UFC 214’s post-fight press conference, some chaos seemed certain to follow.
The longtime fight promoter didn’t mince words when describing Woodley’s successful title defence against Demian Maia on Saturday night – during which time Woodley broke the record for the fewest strikes attempted in a five-round title fight – telling the gathered media “Woodley could’ve finished that in the first round, and if not, he definitely could’ve finished it in the second round.”
Woodley’s defence went all five round before he was named the victor by unanimous decision.
White also suggested the lacklustre performance caused a change of plans regarding the return of former champion Georges St-Pierre, who was slated to face Woodley had he defended his belt. Instead, the legendary Canadian fighter will face middleweight champion Michael Bisping, because, in White’s words, “you ask fans if they want to see Woodley fight again, I think that will be a flat out no.”
The other shoe dropped on Monday night, as Woodley spoke with The MMA Hour’s Ariel Helwani, going on a hefty rant in response to his boss’ criticism.
“Promote your champion. Don’t demote your champion,” Woodley said. “I threw my shoulder out in the first round, I wasn’t able to throw any damaging shots… and I still stayed the course, I stayed on path, I stayed on point, I executed the game plan.
“I’m owed a public apology. You’re going to publicly scrutinize me, Dana White? You publicly need to apologize to me. I’ve done nothing but good stuff for the sport.”
Woodley went one step further than demand White backtrack, however, suggesting there may be consequences for the president’s post-fight comments.
“You need to be a man, you owe me a public apology,” Woodley continued. “And if I don’t get that, I’m going to start leaking some sh*t that people don’t want to be out in the wind. I’m not even kidding about that.”
It isn’t difficult to understand why Woodley may be upset with White’s harsh criticism. Losing out on the payday that would be GSP’s return likely didn’t help matters, as the welterweight champ said he was given a diffent story regarding that match-making prior to UFC 214.
“(White) said, ‘no, no, no, man, if you win, you’re getting the shot (at GSP),’” Woodley said. “He didn’t say, ‘hey, if you win in dominant fashion, if you win by TKO, if you win by knockout, if you submit him, if you brutally batter his face.’ He said, ‘if you win.’ W-I-N. That was the word.”
It’s unclear what Woodley’s next step is, given White’s criticism and the nature of the champ’s response, but it’s clear some damage control is likely in order before the veteran welterweight enters the octagon next.
[relatedlinks]
