Woodley remains champ (photos)

The first fight between Tyron Woodley and Stephen Thompson was an instant classic. The rematch at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night didn’t match that standard, but in the UFC 209 main event, a winner did emerge, as Woodley retained his UFC welterweight title with a five-round majority decision victory.

“I was extremely nervous,” Woodley, who made the second defense of his crown, admitted. “Stephen did a way better job of gauging the space. He made it very hard for me to get in close. In the last round, we all know I went out there for the kill. I wish I would have did that in a few other rounds, but it was a good fight. I knew it was close, so I was just praying and making sure the belt stayed home.”

It did, with Woodley, now 17-3-1, emerging victorious by scores of 48-47 twice and 47-47. South Carolina’s Thompson falls to 13-2-1. The two fought to a five-round draw at UFC 205 last November.

“I knew he was gonna look for the takedown, I had to play it smart,” Thompson said. “I thought I had it, but you live to fight another day.”