Hater proof: 3 reasons Tyron Woodley will exit UFC 209 as 170-pound champ

Tyron Woodley might not always be the best at navigating fans and media, but when it comes to performing on fight night there are few who do it better.

The reigning welterweight champion gets the chance to silence the doubters one more time on Saturday when he rematches Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson in the main event of UFC 209 in Las Vegas.

Their first fight ended in an unsatisfying majority draw, and while that meant Woodley got to hold on to his title, it didn't allow him to definitively say that he'd knocked off the division's No. 1 contender.

Here are three reasons why Woodley will finally put the stamp on Wonderboy:

Calm like a bomb

At the risk of offending Woodley by slapping him with a stereotypical label like "explosive athlete," it's impossible to discuss his success without talking about his supernatural ability to go from 0-100 in the blink of an eye.

In this November 2013 bout with Josh Koscheck, watch how long Woodley waits before unloading with a pair of right hands that knock Koscheck senseless:

If that looks familiar, it's not dissimilar to the approach that Woodley used to knock Robbie Lawler off of the welterweight throne last July. All it takes is one right hand from Woodley to put his opponents on roller skates, something that Thompson found out in their first meeting at UFC 205.

Simply put, there isn't a fighter at 170 pounds who hits harder than the champ:

If Woodley connects with his signature strike again, he'll seal the deal this time around.

Back to basics

Before Woodley earned his reputation as a knockout artist, he was mostly recognized for his smothering wrestling game. He can still go to it when he needs it and that weapon could be essential in neutralizing Thompson.

It's not all about power double legs or big slams with Woodley either. Much like with his punches, he's able to generate an incredible amount of force in close whether he's in the clinch or the middle of a striking exchange.

Combine that with a smart use of trips to capitalize on his natural strength and balance and it's near-certain that he'll score at least a couple of takedowns on Saturday. And the longer the fight is on the ground, the worse Thompson's chances get of snatching Woodley's belt away from him.

A chip on his shoulder

Intangibles are always a tricky thing to factor into any athletic competition, but there's a legitimate case to be made that Woodley has the emotional and mental edge over Thompson for their rematch.

Over the past few months, Woodley has opened up about how he feels the UFC has failed to market him properly and that he's the "worst-treated champion" ever. That perceived disrespect is undoubtedly tied to his first title defense ending in a majority draw, a verdict that didn't sit well with Woodley who felt that he beat Thompson outright.

Woodley's beef is not without merit. After all, he came the closest to finishing the fight in his previous meeting with Thompson:

The perceived disrespect would be a distraction for most, but like many great athletes, Woodley has made a habit out of performing at his best when he's counted out. He was an underdog against both Lawler and Thompson, and both of those fights ended in him walking out with gold around his waist.

Expect to see the same at UFC 209.

Related - Karate Kid: Why 'Wonderboy' will beat Woodley for the 170-pound title at UFC 209