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MMA

11th Feb 2017

Dana White’s advice for Tyron Woodley to be more like Conor McGregor probably won’t go down too well

"They're not booing him because he's black"

Ben Kiely

Conor McGregor

Remember when everything was set up nicely for Conor McGregor to try and become a three-weight world champion?

Before the UFC lightweight champion switched his focus to that crossover megafight against Floyd Mayweather, there was a lot of talk about him taking on Tyron Woodley for the UFC welterweight strap.

Their ‘heated moment‘ backstage at the UFC 205 weigh-ins caused the rumour-mill to go into overdrive, and that only intensified after the Notorious’ incredible finish of veteran brawler Edie Alvarez in the main event.

After his history-making knockout in Madison Square Garden, some doubters were swayed over the Dubliner’s potential, and suddenly trying for that third belt against one of the heaviest hitters at 170 didn’t seem all that unbelievable.

Comedian Joey Diaz was certainly convinced that their little moment backstage was evidence that the two champions would eventually square off, as he explained in a needlessly angry, massively entertaining, expletive-laden rant on Joe Rogan’s podcast (NSFW).

While McGregor was treated like a hero in New York, Woodley was undoubtedly the villain in his title fight against Stephen Thompson that ended in a majority draw.

“The Chosen One” was drowned in a sea of boos at every media appearance and recently, he suggested that he has been held back from certain career opportunities because of racial prejudices.

Dana White believes that Woodley is blowing the race issue way out of proportion though, as he explained in an interview with ESPN Radio.

“The thing is with Tyron: First of all, he’s a smart guy, he’s a good looking kid, he’s explosive, he’s got knockout power, but he’s a bit of a drama queen.”

White feels that Woodley is an architect of his own demise and rather than complain about not being given the opportunities for money fights, he should adopt the attitude of that man he had that exchange with in New York.

“I think he means the fans are a big part of it too. When a fight is made, and Conor McGregor is a perfect example, Conor McGregor has that ‘fight anybody, anywhere’ attitude. But (he) doesn’t just have the attitude, he lives it.”

“I’ve stood in front of (McGregor on) 10 days’ notice, and his opponent falls out and he doesn’t care. He doesn’t care. ‘Bring them all, I’m better than everybody. I’m the man. I’m the guy.’ If Tyron Woodley had that attitude, Tyron Woodley would be a massive star… massive star.”

That’s the seed, you dumb fucks!