Tyron Woodley talks about his legacy at UFC 209 media day

UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley talked this week about how he thinks he’s been treated as a champion as it relates to his race.

“Let’s put the cards on the table, real is real. If I was a different complexion, I think the fans would treat me a different way,” Woodley, an African-American, said Wednesday on ESPN.

On Thursday, as fighters gathered at the Monte Carlo’s Palm Theater for media day for UFC 209, Woodley reflected on his legacy and how he wants to be remembered by mixed martial arts fans.

Woodley talked about the legacy of boxing legend Muhammad Ali and civil rights legend Martin Luther King Jr. and how their lives have inspired him to be vocal about his beliefs.

“Everyone loves (Ali) now, but they hated him then. They couldn’t stand him,” Woodley said. “Martin Luther King didn’t know he was going to have a day named after him, Muhammad Ali didn’t know he was going to be the people’s champion. He was doing what he was doing because it was right. And that’s just my sense this year.”

Woodley will defend his title for the second time against Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson at UFC 209 on March 4 at T-Mobile Arena after their first fight ended in a majority draw.

Thompson appeared confused by Woodley’s statements to ESPN.

“I haven’t seen his side of everything. I’ve never spent time with him and what goes about with the UFC and management,” Thompson said. “But in my head I’m thinking, Jon Jones. One of the best guys out there who is one of the biggest stars in the UFC at the time.”

Thompson also mentioned Anderson Silva as one of the greatest champions of all time in response to Woodley’s comments.

“I’m looking at these fighters, and to me it hasn’t been treated any differently, but obviously I haven’t seen his side,” Thompson said. “But all these other names are popping into my head, and I just don’t see it.”

Woodley said he thought he was unfairly called “entitled” after fighting Kelvin Gastelum and waiting for his title shot against champion Robbie Lawler. He was told he was being given that title shot by the UFC.

“So in my mind I was waiting on the date, I wasn’t waiting and holding out,” Woodley said. “So everyone has the fictitious thought that I was sitting around being overly entitled.”

Woodley thinks he still hasn’t received the recognition he deserves for his accomplishments in the UFC.

“You look at the top five right now and see guys like Kelvin Gastelum, who I’ve beaten, Carlos Condit, who I’ve beaten, Robbie Lawler, who I’ve beaten,” Woodley said. “How are those guys more notable than I am and I’m the champion of the world?”

Contact reporter Bill Slane at bslane@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4559. Follow @bill_slane on Twitter.