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[Cat--Smasher]

Tyron Woodley More Interested in Fighting Rory MacDonald Than Demian Maia

In fact, he’s already told UFC President Dana White that he’ll be available if someone drops out of the March 16 showdown between Carlos Condit and Rory MacDonald. It’s MacDonald in particular that Woodley has his eye on.

“I want to fight him,” Woodley told the Sherdog Radio Network’s “Beatdown” show. “If anything happens with Carlos Condit, God forbid, or something happens with that fight, I already told Dana White.”

It’s not that Woodley thinks the highly touted MacDonald is a slouch. Rather, now is the time to beat him, in Woodley’s view.

“Nobody’s calling him out for a reason,” Woodley said. “Because he’s freaking unreal. But if you wait, you think he’s going to stop getting better? In two years, this kid’s probably going to be one of the best fighters in the game. I’d rather knock his butt off now like I knocked off [Tarec Saffiedine’s] just before he got the Strikeforce gold.”

There has also been some discussion among fans of a matchup between Woodley and fellow UFC 156 winner Demian Maia, who outgrappled and outpointed Jon Fitch on Saturday. Woodley isn’t too interested, though.

“Everybody’s been Tweeting about it,” he said. “I don’t mind the fight. If he fights me the way he fought Fitch, then it’s not that dangerous of a fight. He just took him down and jumped on his back.”

Maia’s ability to take down Fitch didn’t surprise or impress Woodley, who said the canvas was “super slippery.”

“There was almost no traction and no way to defend,” Woodley said. “When [Maia] got on [Fitch’s] back, he just had no answer for it. I think Demian Maia’s tough. He just didn’t really impress me very much. I think if you match us up, it’s going to be a boring fight and we’re both going to get hella flak. I would rather fight [Nick] Diaz, Rory MacDonald, Condit. I would rather fight one of those guys, to be honest. They’re going to bring out the fight. They’re going to make me fight harder.”

Regardless of whom he fights next, Woodley believes he’ll eventually end up at the top.

“I’m not running from trying to earn it,” he said. “I’m not running from taking the fights. I’ll get there. I think definitely my talent level is definitely top 10. I think my thirst and hunger wants to fight the top five.”

[Qball1974]

Both smash him IMO.

[tucker50]

Originally Posted by Qball1974

Both smash him IMO.

Agreed. If anyone thinks that they can survive with Maia on their back like Fitch did, they're going to be in for a surprise. Fitch has crazy submission defense, and RNC defense is his specialty.

[Bork_Lazer]

Is he trying to bait Maia into calling him out? Cause I think its too soon for him to be fighting a guy like McDonald, specially if he gets the win. Why doesnt he fight Koscheck if he wins his next fight, or the winner of Sanchez v Gomi. Slow your roll Woodley...

[Sniggles]

If Maia can hug Fitch to death, he can do it to Woodley.

[MickeyKnox]

Woodley is just trying to garner as much attention as he can off of his knockout entrance. I don't blame him.

He doesn't deserve a fight with Rory or Maia just yet though.

How about Erick Silva? Where's Alves been?

[Fe1]

After seeing Maia's performance last weekend I don't blame him. I don't think there are many people at 170 right now who can prevent him from executing his game plan. With that said, Rory would kill him too. I don't see Woodley cracking the top 5.

[AnchorPunch]

I agree with others here, too much too soon. That said, of the two, Rory makes a bit more sense as he's intentionally removed from title contention and so doesn't really have the upward trajectory. This would really just be a big step down for Maia.

I don't love Alves fighting another wrestler. Silva could be fun, Kos is definitely interesting. Does Hardy have a fight scheduled yet? That could be an interesting test on both sides.

[dbader08]

I think Maia has a tougher time getting Woodley to the ground than he did Fitch.

Penn took Fitch down easily in their fight for one and a half rounds. Woodley is a 2 time division 1 All American out of Mizzou, and is just bigger and more physically stronger than Fitch. I think he has a much tougher time if Maia could get him down...but, I actually think it would be pretty difficult. No way Maia would scoop him up with ease the way he did Fitch, but I could see him getting Woodley's back standing and hooking one of his legs, eventually dragging him down...but I even think that may be difficult for Maia with Woodley's stocky build and explosiveness.

But yeah, he should probably refrain from fighting Rory any time soon, even though I do think Rory is a bit over hyped at the moment.

[Sniggles]

Wonder if Woodley will fall in love with his hands now.