The welterweight waters are rather muddy over there in the UFC.
Nobody knows who will be in the Octagon the next time the organisation’s 170lbs title is on the line and the recent social media exchanges have provided no clarity whatsoever.
Champion Tyron Woodley has rejected claims from Kamaru Usman that he is next in line for a title shot, despite the fact that UFC President Dana White has appeared to back-up Usman’s story.
“That fight is happening or Usman vs. someone for the title,” White told MMAjunkie last week, doubling down on his promise to keep the welterweight division moving with or without Woodley.
White had previously told TSN Sports: “Tell me when Woodley does want to fight. This is always an issue with Woodley. We’re going to move on. That division is stacked. We’ve got a lot of good talent and whether Woodley fights or doesn’t, we’ll end up making a fight with some of the best guys in that division.”
Usman, who is on a 13-fight win streak dating back to 2013 and has yet to look anything but dominant since making his UFC debut in 2015, took to Twitter on Wednesday night to claim that he had received confirmation of a title shot in March.
It’s a done deal and has been signed. March 2019 I will be the New WW Champion 👊🏾💪🏾🇳🇬 #AndNew
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) January 3, 2019
Woodley, however, has rejected Usman’s version of events and instead insisted that he would first fight former interim welterweight champion Colby Covington before turning his attention to ‘The Nigerian Nightmare.’
Bruh👀 Quit lying to these people and getting them pumped. Will fight Colby and you this year. He has to catch this fade first https://t.co/3z4Xsqm1dO
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) January 3, 2019
Next followed a lengthy back-and-forth in which Usman stood firm on his stance that a bout agreement had been signed by both sides while Woodley mocked his rival for previous comments he’d made.
What am I lying about? Do I not have a signed contract with your name on it? Just face the reality March 2nd you’re standing across the octagon from Me. Now get your shit together and let’s run it @TWooodley https://t.co/mvgRM3MTEz
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) January 3, 2019
Bruh…..you are coming off stupid and I don’t do Twitter Beef you got my line. But what you don’t have is a damn agreement signed by me. Now quit lying before I lose respect for you. I said I will fight both of you. The order is to be determined. Chill, take a number & fall back https://t.co/SdcYYuu46m
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) January 3, 2019
That means you are a liar. You just said it was signed and a done deal right? You and Ali forging my signature? I love how “The Bossman” and you are so close. 6 seconds ago you were getting shit on for being 30%. Stop this isn’t your style 🤚🏽 coming off wack https://t.co/Hd4ZJ22SZc
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) January 3, 2019
Enough of the talking, defend or vacate… March 2nd @TWooodley or that lil bitch @ColbyCovMMA gonna catch this fade. @danawhite @seanshelby @Mickmaynard2 @AliAbdelaziz00 pic.twitter.com/9DetU4LCv6
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) January 3, 2019
And you can tag the world Brodie I don’t give a fuck. I fight inbthe order that best suits my legacy. Y’all bout will see what the noise is bout https://t.co/w4eog2lLCm
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) January 3, 2019
Clearly you don’t call the shots, and You know I ain’t Till… “I want all the Smoke” and trust me March 2nd 2019 is a good time for you to catch a fade and I ain’t talking bout a haircut. https://t.co/NjyZjlRlcJ
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) January 3, 2019
Look at your skin G. You don’t call the shots either. The cookie will uncrumble they way it should. Remember you were boring 20sec Ago. Now I’m really done ✅ https://t.co/q5R19p0Etw
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) January 3, 2019
Look at you showing yo ass now… If I’m the easy fight then shut the fuck up and sign. I’ll see you March 2nd in Las Vegas if you don’t get lost on the way #FOH #Crybaby https://t.co/LwveL2Avlh
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) January 3, 2019
They got my guy trolling. You are in Colby’s Lane. I mentored both of you. Please don’t forget that. Enjoy you few new followers. https://t.co/J0nHbYx47f
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) January 3, 2019
