There is no shortage of contenders for Robbie Lawler’s welterweight title.
Many expected that the winner of Rory MacDonald vs. Stephen Thompson would be next in line for Lawler’s belt but that may come too soon considering they’re set to clash on June 18.
The winner of Demian Maia vs. Matt Brown would also make sense for Lawler while a rematch with Carlos Condit wouldn’t have upset many fight fans.
But UFC president Dana White has stayed true to his word by claiming that number 3 ranked Tyron Woodley is the frontrunner for the next title shot at 170 lbs.
“I don’t know who yet,” White said, when asked on AXS TV about Lawler’s next opponent. “But more than likely going to be [Tyron] Woodley.”
White all but guaranteed Woodley a title shot after his fight at UFC 192 was scrapped when opponent Johny Hendricks failed to make weight.
Woodley hasn’t fought in over a year with his most recent victory coming in early 2015 when he earned a decision victory over Kelvin Gastelum.
@UFCONFOX My next fight will be a title shot! I'm not fighting anybody in between! @UFC #UFC I deserve that and my win bonus
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) October 2, 2015
White also claimed that Lawler is anxious for a fight and has been pestering him for an opponent, having not fought since a split decision victory over Carlos Condit in January.
“He’s terrorizing me for UFC 200 like every fighter is right now,” White said. “but Robbie is going to fight at either 201 or 202.”
