NEW YORK — A five-round battle that was later awarded ‘Fight of the Night’ at UFC 205 still had a slightly disappointing ending after Tyron Woodley and Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson was declared a majority draw.
One judge gave Woodley the fight 48-47, but the other two judges scored it 47-47, which means the fight was a draw. Woodley retains his welterweight title, but obviously he doesn’t get any real resolution with Thompson.
Well, UFC president Dana White says these two are going to do it all over again because the draw necessitates that Woodley and “Wonderboy” get back together for a rematch.
“You rematch it. It was a draw,” White said at the UFC 205 post-fight press conference. “The fight was ridiculous. It was the ‘Fight of the Night.’ Do it again.”
White notoriously avoids making any matchups on the night of the card, but the title fight ending in a draw caused him to break his own rule.
It was a back and forth affair over all five rounds but while Woodley kept his belt, he still didn’t leave New York with a win on his record. Neither did Thompson for that matter and the worst part for him was still not being declared champion.
That’s why White is willing to concede to this rematch rather than having Woodley and “Wonderboy” go out and fight new opponents while there’s clearly some unfinished business between the two of them.
“That one makes sense. I think it makes sense,” White said.
Of course, Woodley fighting Thompson at some point in 2017 leaves top-ranked contender Demian Maia twisting in the wind.
With seven straight victories, Maia was expected to face the winner of the fight at UFC 205, but now he has to remain on the outside looking in as Woodley and “Wonderboy” prepare to meet for a second time next year.
