Woodley announces he'll defend title vs. Maia at UFC 214

Tyron Woodley's next title defense is officially a go.

On Wednesday's edition of "UFC Tonight," the welterweight champion announced he'll defend his crown against Demian Maia on July 29 at UFC 214 in Anaheim, Calif.

Woodley had previously teased he'd be putting the title on the line against the top-ranked Maia, but didn't put a date on it until Wednesday. The announcement now gives the card a trio of title fights, with Daniel Cormier defending the light heavyweight title against Jon Jones in the main event, and Cris Cyborg clashing with late fill-in Tonya Evinger for the vacant women's featherweight belt in the co-headliner.

According to MMA Fighting's Ariel Helwani, the promotion didn't waste any time booking Woodley to face Maia in order for the winner to meet Georges St-Pierre in his return to action at Madison Square Garden later this year.

"The Chosen One" captured the strap with a first-round knockout of Robbie Lawler at UFC 201 and has since defended it twice against Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson by majority draw at UFC 205 and majority decision at UFC 209, respectively.

Maia gets his long-awaited chance at claiming UFC gold after mounting a division-best seven-fight win streak. The Brazilian patiently waited for his shot after submitting Carlos Condit last August, but didn't cement his position until he edged Woodley's teammate Jorge Masvidal by split decision at UFC 211 last month.