If you’re a UFC welterweight contender, there’s perhaps no bigger opportunity than the slot opposite Carlos Condit in a No. 1 contender’s bout at UFC 171. Unfortunately for Tyron Woodley, it won’t get to him.

Although Woodley campaigned for the slot – one of two UFC 171 co-headliners that was booked after long-reigning titleholder Georges St-Pierre (25-2 MMA, 19-2 UFC) vacated his title this past week – UFC President Dana White said Condit will fight someone else.

However, White, who said Woodley simply isn’t ranked high enough to be in the title eliminator, apparently appreciates the former Strikeforce fighter’s persistence.

“If Tyrone Woodley texts me one more time…” an amused White said after Saturday’s UFC on FOX 9 event (watch the post-event media scrum with White). “The guy can’t text me enough. I mean, I’m not kidding you. I’m not being a promoter here. He must’ve texted me 15 times a day, and then when this thing with Georges St-Pierre went down, boom! He wants every fight.”

With St-Pierre opting for a indefinite break and vacating his belt so the division won’t be held up, the UFC booked Johny Hendricks (15-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) and Robbie Lawler (22-9 MMA, 7-3 UFC) for a title fight at UFC 171, which takes place March 15 at American Airlines Center in Dallas. Condit (29-7 MMA, 6-3 UFC), a former interim champ, will fight on the same card, and the winner of his bout will face the main-event victor, White said.

White said he offered the fight to Nick Diaz, but the former title challenger, who lost to Condit in early 2012, said he’s instead going to remain in semi-retirement and possibly return in May.

It was a disappointment to White, who teased the possible rematch this past week following St-Pierre’s announcement. However, the UFC boss is encouraged that other fighters such as Woodley are willing to step up, even if he won’t be the one getting the fight.

“There are guys like (Woodley) that are out there,” he said. “Those are the guys I want to deal with. Those are the guys I want to hear from. I love Tyron Woodley. I love it.”

For the latest on UFC 171, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Tyron Woodley)