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Tyron Woodley wants title but will pass on Tarec Saffiedine rematch

Steve Cofield

Strikeforce is in search of Nick Diaz's replacement. Tyron Woodley's wonders why.

Woodley thinks he's the guy to carry the Strikeforce 170-pound division. He told the media in attendance at Wednesday's Strikeforce workouts that he's the "uncrowned champ."

Most observers believe he'll be matched against Tarec Saffiedine next time out to decide who gets the strap. There's one problem - Woodley already beat Saffiedine last January. The unbeaten 29-year-old wonders why he'd have to face Saffiedine again.

Both fighters are featured on Saturday's Strikeforce card in Las Vegas (Showtime 10 p.m. ET/PT).

"I'm cordial with Tarec," Woodley said. "We had a conversation face to face. I said, 'I respect the fact you want a rematch, but I fought Paul Daley on the same night you fought Scott Smith. Not the same thing.You just don't jump into a title fight because you beat Scott Smith. That's not fair.'"

He has a point. Smith looked weak down at 170 and has lost 4-of-5. Saturday night, Woodley is again facing a dangerous challenge in young Jordan Mein (23-7).

"[...] I'm fighting Jordan Mein on the same night you're righting Tyler Stinson. Not the same thing.' I said, 'You have to beat someone substantial to warrant a rematch," said Woodley. "Who has he beat? He hasn't beat anyone."

Is Woodley too brash? Maybe, but he's been backing it up. He says the winning is going to continue and that includes when he gets his shot in fighters in the UFC's welterweight division.

"I'm probably the closest one to cracking the top 10. I know these guys. If you match up Tarec Saffeidine with Rick Story or Bobby Voelker with freaking (Charlie) Brenneman or someone like that, these guys can knock off these types of opponents," Woodley said. "Those guys are looking. I go into the locker rooms to corner guys in the UFC, and they won't look me in the face. They know what's about to happen."

Quotes via MMAjunkie