Damn, man. The fall from grace we've seen former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley endure has been nothing short of spectacular. At one time many speculated whether the Chosen One would overtake Georges St-Pierre as the greatest 170lb fighter in UFC history, but after three straight defeats, Woodley looks finished.
It's not just that the 38-year-old has lost three straight fights, he's lost every single round within those fights. He's lost 15 rounds in a row which is pretty staggering when you think back to how dominant he was just a couple of years ago.
Following his loss to Colby Covington, UFC president Dana White admitted he thought it was time for Woodley to retire, but after the former champion announced he wasn't giving up and he would fight again, we've decided to take a look at some of the better options for Woodley's next move.
Anthony Pettis
Another former UFC champion who's fallen from the top of the mountain, a fight with Anthony Pettis makes a lot of sense for Woodley's next octagon outing. Coming off an unconvincing decision win over Donald Cerrone at UFC 249, there's currently no plans announced for Showtime's next fight so the UFC should move quickly to lock these two together.
Pettis doesn't necessarily employ the relentless pressing that Woodley's faced - and struggled to overcome - in his recent fights so it would give the Chosen One the opportunity to really prove he still has what it takes to compete in a stacked welterweight division.
Nate Diaz
With Colby Covington calling out Jorge Masvidal after his victory over Woodley at the weekend, many speculated that was the fight to make for both men. Originally it was rumoured Masvidal would rematch with Nate Diaz after their fight late last year, so with Masvidal out of a rematch with Diaz, it would make sense to pair the Stockton native with Woodley.
Both men are nowhere near the title picture and if Woodley is willing to really let his hands go again, a fight between the two would be a guaranteed classic.
Nick Diaz
If not one Diaz brother, why not the other, right? With Nick Diaz's reportedly eager to return to the UFC and fight again in 2021, this fight makes a whole lot of sense.
Diaz hasn't fought in over five years and would be the perfect opponent for Woodley to really find his groove against. While it likely wouldn't end well for Nick and would be a hell of a tough opponent for a first fight in half a decade, it would benefit Woodley immensly.
Neil Magny
Fresh off a win against former champion Robbie Lawler, Neil Magny has earned a shot against a top 10 ranked opponent and Woodley would be the perfect man for the job. Despite Woodley's poor recent form, it's important to remember he's fought the top three ranked fighters in the welterweight division and it still remains to be seen whether that's an indication of his career coming to an end or just the talent level those three men possess.
A fight with Magny would really demonstrate where Tyron is at this stage in his career and whether he does still have what it takes to compete in the UFC's 170lb division. It's time for Woodley to dig deep and prove he's not finished just yet.
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