Tyron Woodley doesn't seem to mind the UFC's plans to crown an interim welterweight champion in the midst of his absence.
The mixed martial arts (MMA) promotional leader has announced that top-ranked 170-pound fighters Rafael dos Anjos and Colby Covington will collide on June 9th to determine the interim title holder at the weight class.
It will serve as the co-main event of UFC 225 from Chicago, Illinois. Woodley has been taking time off to nurse an injury, but hasn't been out of action anywhere near a year, which makes the UFC's decision to crown an interim champion a bit odd.
Regardless, there were rumors of Woodley fighting RDA for the welterweight crown, however, it seems The Chosen One needs a bit more time to heal up before stepping into the Octagon again.
Dos Anjos is a former champion at 155 pounds before deciding to make the move up to welterweight citing a strenuous weight cut to his former championship class.
The Brazilian has had an excellent showing at his new home of 170 pounds; downing the likes of Tarec Saffiedine, Neil Magny, and Robbie Lawler.
A win over Covington would not only win him welterweight gold, but guarantee him a meeting with Woodley upon his return.
Covington is currently on a five-fight win streak after his most recent win inside the cage against Brazilian jiu-jitsu whiz Damian Maia.
With all that being said, the winner of the bout between Covington and RDA will certainly have their hands full with Woodley.
The welterweight king is nearly impossible to take down and has some of the most vicious knockout power in the UFC.
Regardless of who wins the bout between RDA and Covington, Woodley will certainly be ready. In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, said he's prepared to "scrape up whoever is left over" from UFC 225's co-main event (quotes via MMA News):
“I accepted to fight ‘RDA’ in July. I’m looking at ‘RDA’ like, ‘Man, that don’t make a lot of sense. You don’t have to fight this fight.
"I already said I would fight you. No, you’re fighting a guy …’ – I just think of the Frankie Edgar situation. He got jumped over the ladder (by Brian Ortega at UFC 222).
"That’s his choice. They’re fighting for the ‘boo boo belt.’ The champion will be waiting to scrape up whoever is left over.”
What are your thoughts on Woodley's comments regarding the interim welterweight title? Do you think that he will be favored against either RDA or Covington? And who are you picking in the interim welterweight title bout? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
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