EXCLUSIVE | Tyron Woodley’s bold prediction for Stephen Thompson fight

In just under two weeks, on November 12th, UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley will be stepping into the Octagon to fight Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson in the co-main event of UFC 205. The fight will serve as Woodley’s first title defense after he claimed the belt by knocking out Robbie Lawler in the main event of UFC 201, delivering a ‘knockout of the year’ candidate as he slumped Lawler with an overhand right to claim the welterweight championship.

While his first title defense is against a very game Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson, who possesses arguably some of the best striking skills in the UFC, Woodley has been preparing for ‘Wonderboy’ by bringing in welterweight prospect Sage Northcutt, who also comes from a Karate background much like Thompson. Leading up to the fight, Woodley has explained that he believes Northcutt’s explosiveness, as well as his strength actually make him a better version of Stephen Thompson.

On a recent episode of BJPenn.com’s Rapid Fire with host Chris Taylor, Woodley was asked about his prediction for the fight, as well as how he feels fans will respond to him when he takes the Octagon.

“All the individuals talking crap on the internet. Those will be the same people who will be praising and clapping after I knock Wonderboys ass stiff inside the octagon at UFC 205. They will be the ones hitting up social media talking about how awesome I am.”

Taylor asked Woodley what his final prediction was for his title fight with Thompson

“I just think it is going to shock the world. I think he is going to realize that he has been lied to. He actually is going to walk in there and realize the person across from him is not the guy he prepared for. I think the fans will be in awe and I will have the best performance on the entire card. It is the best fight card in UFC history and I think I will have the best performance that night out of any fighter on the card. I expect to win. I will walk away from Madison Square Garden the welterweight champion.”