Tyron Woodley and Dan Hardy get heated on Twitter

Last weekend, in the main event of UFC 209, welterweight champion Tyron Woodley defended his title with a majority decision over Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson. While Woodley’s win was an important one, however, it was also incredibly close, and fairly unexciting as far as fights go.

The slow nature of Woodley’s defeat of Thompson prompted backlash from many members of the MMA community, including UFC President Dana White. Another respected member of the MMA community to chime in on this fight was former welterweight title challenger turned analyst Dan Hardy.

Hardy shared his opinion on Woodley’s title defense on Twitter.

Worst welterweight title fight I've ever seen. Woodley owes the fans better performances. #UFC209

— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) March 5, 2017

It wasn’t long before Woodley caught sight of this comment from Hardy, and offered up a response.

Wow thought we were cool🤔 https://t.co/JfM6NLydhz

— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) March 5, 2017

Hardy’s remark also prompted a response from Woodley’s Roufusport training partner, Erik Koch, which only served to get Woodley more fired up.

@danhardymma people are crying. It blows my mind how wonderboy didn't do shit the whole fight and people are blaming woodley

— Erik Jon Koch (@NEWBREED04) March 5, 2017

it's always me Koch, but I have the belt and that's the goal. Retired fighters can easily critique from the side

— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) March 5, 2017

Hardy then assured that, despite his remarks, he is cool with Woodley, and elaborated that he simply expects more from a champion of his caliber.

We are cool. I can't pretend I think it was a good performance though. I know you are capable of much more. https://t.co/J3GKK4flPp

— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) March 5, 2017

Woodley, however, did not appear satisfied with this response, and criticized Hardy for his failure to compete in recent years – which has been due to a medical condition, not a choice.

when was the last time he fought? Easy to say from the sidelines

— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) March 5, 2017

My job is an analyst, so I analyze. And believe me, I would have been fighting if it was my choice. https://t.co/yv3SQGdR37

— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) March 5, 2017

Woodley then wrapped up the exchange by expressing his belief that he deserves better from the fans.

I deserve better from you fans

— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) March 5, 2017

With his narrow defeat of Stephen Thompson, Tyron Woodley rebounded from a majority draw to the same man. Prior to this draw, he won the welterweight title with a thunderous, first-round knockout of the notoriously durable Robbie Lawler.

Hardy, meanwhile, has not been seen in the cage since September of 2012, when he scored a dominant decision defeat over Amir Sadollah. Prior to this win, he rebounded from four-straight losses with a nice knockout defeat of Duane Ludwig. Though he has been working as analyst over the last few years, he was recently approved for a return to the cage.

What do you think of this exchange between Dan Hardy and Tyron Woodley? Sound off, PENN Nation!

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 3/6/2017.