Rafael dos Anjos: Tyron Woodley is ‘running away from logic’ by wanting to fight Nate Diaz

If it were up to UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, he would be fighting Nate Diaz next. The former lightweight title contender seems to be in agreement, saying Woodley is indeed his best option.

But if there is one fighter who is not at all pleased by this possible development, it is Rafael dos Anjos. In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, the former 155-pound champion called Woodley out for what he feels are nonsensical decisions driven too much by money.

“Tyron Woodley is only thinking about money,” Dos Anjos said. “Of course that everybody wants to make money and needs money, but he’s running away from logic. He’s trying to force his hand and making a fight that makes no sense.”

“(Diaz) can’t fight in this weight class, and Woodley is trying to force this fight. (Woodley) was willing to fight Nate Diaz while injured, needing to undergo surgery, because he knows it’s an easy fight and he can win without one arm. I think it’s wrong to hold the entire division like this.”

For Dos Anjos, Woodley is more focused on keeping his title, while taking on easy fights to accommodate his other ventures outside of fighting.

“He’s trying to get an easy fight and stay on his TV and radio shows as a champion, he wants this status,” Dos Anjos said. “He doesn’t want to fight someone motivated as myself, someone on a roll. He wants to fight someone that will bring him money.”

“Nate Diaz is more popular than me. I’ve achieved more things than him in my career, but Nate Diaz is more popular, so if this fight happens now it’s not about who deserves it more, but who’s more popular. He definitely wants an easier fight.”

Woodley had always shrugged off dos Anjos’ call-outs and does not seem to have any plans to take them seriously.