Woodley still eyeing date with GSP: Maia 'doesn't really interest me'

It's going to take a lot to get Tyron Woodley to face Demian Maia.

The UFC welterweight champ watched Maia edge his teammate Jorge Masvidal and extend his win streak to seven at UFC 211 this past Saturday, but while even president Dana White finally admitted the Brazilian had earned his long-awaited title shot, Woodley isn't exactly salivating at the prospect of meeting him in the Octagon.

As he told Ariel Helwani on Monday's "The MMA Hour," in addition to the Sisyphean task of preparing for specialists of Maia's and former foe Stephen Thompson's ilk, Woodley believes their comparatively lackluster drawing power would hinder his efforts to build his own, hence his reluctance to lock horns with either of them.

"To be honest, neither one of these guys did because they're trying to build their brand up and I'm trying to build my brand up, and I feel like my brand is a little bit further than theirs is, so it didn't really interest me."

When asked who he'd like to share the cage with next, Woodley promptly posited what would surely prove a lucrative meeting with Georges St-Pierre. While he admitted it would take seven figures to tangle with Maia in his native Brazil, "The Chosen One" said he'd gladly take a pay cut to meet the man widely considered the greatest welterweight of all time.

"Georges St-Pierre is always going to be there, no matter the money, no matter the city. If it's in freakin' Montreal, if it's freakin' ... for $100,000, no matter what the situation is, that's always going to be the best fight. He was the best in the world. If he's still talking about competing, that's always going to hang over my head. I can't honestly say I'm the best welterweight in the world knowing he still wants to fight, so that's going to take precedent over everything."

The 35-year-old also relished a meeting with Nick Diaz, a proven draw who'd likely oblige him with his first true rivalry.

While Maia's wins over quality competition have made his case for a title shot airtight, Woodley simply doesn't deem him as coveted a scalp as GSP or the brash Stockton scrapper.

"I just don't see beating Demian Maia really putting another notch on my belt like those two guys would.

As for when he aims to fight again, Woodley set his sights on either of the UFC's pair of July pay-per-views, stating that if the brass does indeed want him to take on Maia, a bout agreement will not be hammered out easily.

"I'll set up meeting with Dana and the guys and see what their plans are, but I'm not going to be easy to deal with, man. Demian Maia's not a guy that's going to push the needle."