Tyron Woodley to defend UFC welterweight title against Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson at UFC 205

THE welterweight title fight the fans wanted to see has now been confirmed, with newly-minted 170lb UFC champion Tyron ‘The Chosen One’ Woodley set to face Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson in New York City.

The pair will do battle for the UFC welterweight title at UFC 205 at Madison Square Garden on Saturday November 12 on what looks set to be a star-studded fight card.

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‘The Chosen One’: Tyron Woodley dethroned Robbie Lawler to capture UFC welterweight gold at UFC 201[/caption]

It’s unlikely the duo will feature in the night’s main event, with the UFC thought to be working on an even bigger title fight to sit at the top of their debut fight card in The Big Apple.

But the matchup will certainly set the pulses racing, with Thompson viewed by many as the most deserving contender in the UFC’s stacked 170lb division.

Woodley confirmed the matchup on FOX Sports in the US, saying: “It’s funny, I’ve been moving in silence. I’ve been seeing a lot of chatter on the internet.

“People have the thought that I’ve not accepted a fight, but I’ve got some big news for you guys.

“I’ll be taking on Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson in New York City, November 12, UFC 205, Madison Square Garden.”

And the UFC champ joked that he considered a little pop at the respectful No.1 contender, but just couldn’t bring himself to do it.

“I wanted to call him Wonder Woman, but the inside of me kept it to myself!”

It represents a change of heart from Woodley, who rebuffed Thompson’s respectful call-out on live television after ‘The Chosen One’ stopped Robbie Lawler to win the title at UFC 201.

But now the fight is on, with the champion set to face the top contender in a fascinating clash of styles, with heavy-handed wrestler Woodley going up against the spectacular karate-based kickboxing skills of Thompson.

Woodley v Thompson joins a growing list of mouthwatering matchups slated for the UFC’s maiden outing at Madison Square Garden.

Also scheduled for the November 12 event is a middleweight clash between former UFC light-heavyweight champion Rashad Evans and middleweight contender Tim Kennedy.

And a potential middleweight title eliminator is also thought to be on the card, with former UFC champion Chris Weidman set to take on fellow top contender, freestyle wrestling world champion and former Olympic silver medallist Yoel Romero.