Tyron Woodley seems to be very sure of his next opponent with the American welterweight revealing that he has been in discussions to fight Nate Diaz as early as July. Speaking to ESPN, Woodley stated that he was certain would face the Stockton native in 2018:
I think that fight will happen. I think it will happen this year. I think it’s way more likely than people realise. There are conversations about Nate and I fighting in July. The UFC has offered Nate that fight. They just have to make it worth his while.
I think I’ll fight Nate this year, and I think it will be my return to the Octagon. If I had to bet the house on it, that’s my next opponent.
Strong words from Woodley. When asked if he thought Diaz would take the fight, 'The Chosen One' said that under the right circumstances he would, but that it would not be a good match up for the Californian:
Do I think Nate will fight me? Yes, for the right amount of money and the right time in history, I do. Is it a good fight for him? No. I'm a lot faster. I punch a lot harder. I can take him down. He's not going to submit me. That said, it's not a good fight for him. So, they have to make it up to him in dollars and cents.
Any potential match up would be one of the biggest fights of 2018 and Woodley reiterated his desire to chase super fights as well as stay on top of his division:
I just want to do something that's going to push me forward career-wise or push my legacy. I need both. I need super fights and I need to continue to knock off these rising contenders. I've been fighting the best of the best since Strikeforce. It's not like I'm asking for anything that I haven't paid my dues for. I had to earn this position the hard way.
Woodley is coming off the back of shoulder surgery and Diaz hasn't fought since losing a unanimous decision to McGregor back in August 2016.
