For the second time this year, Tyron Woodley (9-0) will go toe-to-toe against Tarec Saffiedine (11-3), though this time the stakes will be dramatically raised. Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker has announced that the two fighters are currently the favorites for the promotion's vacant welterweight title.
"I would think that Tyron and Tarec are going to be frontrunners for that vacant title," Coker confirmed to MMA Junkie on Sunday.
Fresh off a the biggest win of his career, Woodley already has many proclaiming him to be one of the sports most viable prospects. After defeating former-UFC contender Paul Daley via unanimous decision at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson, the 29-year-old American has run his undefeated record to a perfect 9-0, placing him on the crest of his greatest accomplishment.
To get there, he likely will have to once again defeat Belgian grappling ace Tarec Saffiedine. Like Woodley, Saffiedine will enter into the bout on the heels of the biggest victory of his career after battering Scott Smith from all angles Saturday night on route to earning a unanimous decision win.
The two last fought at January's Strikeforce Challengers event, with Woodley dominating the Saffiedine in the clinch and on the mat. When the dust settled, Woodley handedly won via unanimous decision, and quickly announced his claim as the number one contender for the welterweight title. Now, it seems, he will get his chance.
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