The fact that Johny Hendricks pulled out on the eve of their UFC 192 co-main event fight yesterday has turned out to be a blessing in disguise for co-main event star Tyron Woodley as it means he’s now getting a free ticket to a title shot.
The fight had been seen as a title eliminator, and with Hendricks unable to compete Dana White has now made it official that Woodley automatically becomes the next in line to fight for the belt against the winner of Robbie Lawler Vs Carlos Condit which takes place at UFC 195 in January.
“@UFCONFOX My next fight will be a title shot!” an elated Woodley wrote on Twitter after the news was officially confirmed by the UFC. “I’m not fighting anybody in between! @UFC #UFC I deserve that and my win bonus.”
Woodley was recently overlooked for a title shot when the UFC opted to pick Condit instead despite the fact that he had beaten him just last year (albeit due to a freak injury), was ranked higher (No.3 Vs No.4) and had a better recent record (4-1 vs 2-3).
With that in mind perhaps justice has been served here, though it’s not the ideal route to the title with Woodley now going to have been out of action for over a year before he finally does get to compete again the champion.
