Predicting All 12 UFC Champions One Year From Now
4. Welterweight Champion - Tyron Woodley
UFC has had an issue these last few years of inactive fighters. In particular, several UFC champions have turned down fights in what could be seen as fallout from the Conor McGregor power-trip. One of those champions is Tyron Woodley, who hasn't fought since defeating Demian Maia a year ago. Woodley has turned down multiple fights, seemingly holding out for a "money fight" against the likes of McGregor or Diaz.
It appears UFC is happy to play hardball with Woodley; the organisation staged an interim title fight between Rafael dos Anjos and Colby Covington, which the latter won. Since then, Covington has said a unification match with Woodley is next up for him, and it is targeted for November. If that fight comes to pass, you can expect Woodley to TKO the cardio machine that is Covington. Woodley plays to his opponents weaknesses and has bested all types of foes, expect nothing different with Covington.
Woodley's next opponent? Darren Till has made quite the name for himself in the past year, and he just beat Stephen Thompson. That means Till will likely face Robbie Lawler or dos Anjos next, then challenge Woodley. And when that comes to pass, Woodley retains.