Since winning the UFC welterweight title in 2016, Tyron Woodley has been one of the most active UFC champions, having defended his title four times in two years, including a dominant title defense against Darren Till just three months ago. But after moving the T.J. Dillashaw-Henry Cejudo superfight fight to bolster their ESPN debut, the UFC is in desperate need of a main event for UFC 233 so once again Dana White is antsy for Woodley’s return, claiming that the champion never wants to fight. But Woodley says that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Speaking on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show yesterday, Woodley addressed White’s recent statements about him, reiterating that he is still recovering from a hand injury and that he would like to fight in January but needs final clearance from his surgeon before committing to do so.
“I’ve agreed to fight Colby. I’ve agreed to fight really anybody – that’s the funny part,” Woodley said. “I just asked for a little more time before I can confirm [my hand is good to go]. I’ve never said no to January 26. Let’s get that on record. I actually want to fight in Anaheim. . .
“I’ve stepped up for the UFC many, many, many times. But at one point, you need to start monitoring your legacy, monitoring your title run, monitoring the way you want to be remembered. I don’t want to be remembered as a guy that lost a fight to Colby Covington, or anybody else, because he knew he wasn’t 100 percent, or wasn’t given the chance to at least go through the physician that performed the surgery on his hand to get his clearance.”
Though Woodley has been one of the most active champions, he also has been somewhat injury prone as well, often getting injured during his title fights. Against Demian Maia, Woodley tore his labrum early in the bout and still managed to blank the jiu-jitsu ace on the scorecards. In his recent title defense against Till, Woodley dislocated his thumb, tearing ligaments in his hand and requiring the surgery that is currently sidelining him. Despite continuing to suffer injuries, Woodley has still been delivering results, however, he doesn’t want to jeopardize his legacy by rushing back too soon to fix a problem the UFC created in the first place.
“That’s what a champion does,” Woodley said. “What a champion doesn’t do, he doesn’t go out there with an injury. He doesn’t go out there knowing he’s not 100 percent and rolls those dice, because if I go out there, and my hand’s not ready to go, and I fight Colby Covington, and I come up short that night, nobody’s going to care that my hand’s hurt. Colby Covington’s going to be, ‘Nah nah nah nah, ha ha ha ha ha,’ and he’ll never fight me again, because he knows the only chance he can beat me is if I’m lacking in one department. Outside of that, it’s virtually impossible for him to beat me.”
At the end of the day, Woodley is doing his best to get back to action by early next year, not because the UFC needs a main event but because he is a prizefighter. Fighting is his job and if he doesn’t fight, he doesn’t make money.
“I don’t make money if I don’t fight,” Woodley concluded. “If y’all think I want to sit around, and you think I make enough money in music, or TV, or movies, you guys have got life messed up. I make my money in fighting. That’s where I do the best at, and I recognize it’s my season right now, and that’s what I’m prepared to do.”
Woodley is continuing his rehab and is hoping to have a determination on the status of his hand by this week.
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VIDEO STEW
The MMA Hour.
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Road to the octagon.
Bellator Countdown 2.
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LISTEN UP
Anik & Florian. Recapping UFC 231 and looking ahead to UFC Milwaukee.
Co-Main Event. Reviewing UFC 231 and the end of UFC’s deal with Fox.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Sure. Why not?
Just woke up and read theres gonna be more waiting around at the top of the lightweight division...
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) December 10, 2018
Let's give the fans the violence they deserve @TonyFergusonXT
Let's go @ufc !!! Stop holding up my weight class!
This is some bullshit
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) December 10, 2018
Savage.
"Cowboy" Oliveira is going to have a hell of a scar after getting 29 stitches to close up Gunnar Nelson's handiwork #UFC231 pic.twitter.com/vevd0v21Cc
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) December 11, 2018
Good spirits.
What a war that was on Saturday night, from all the messages I’m getting I’m glad that all the fans around the world enjoyed it. Massive respect to @TMarretaMMA it was his night. I’m back at home licking my wounds but healthy which is the most important thing. Thank you pic.twitter.com/zvGkJbbWZV
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) December 10, 2018
That’s pretty badass.
Motivation Monday: First in history #ufcchampion #olympicchampion The Real Champ Champ @tjdillashaw #andstill @ufc pic.twitter.com/vdzNg1HAmA
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) December 10, 2018
Harsh.
Yo @FrankieEdgar because they (@ufc) hates on legends like you and me. Look what they are doing to @SpiderAnderson don't expect them to ever treat you like you made them a dollar. https://t.co/VPlgDmlFfU
— Josh Thomson (@THEREALPUNK) December 11, 2018
This finally gets settled.
Do it.
All those cards taking place in Europe in February, let’s kick off the Pitbull Brothers vs SBG challenge. @ScottCoker @rtemike @BellatorMMA @John_Kavanagh
— Patricky Freire (@PatrickyPitbull) December 10, 2018
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Jessica Penne (12-5) vs. Jodie Esquibel (6-4); UFC ESPN, Feb. 17.
TODAY IN MMA HISTORY
2010: Georges St-Pierre won a unanimous decision in hi rematch with Josh Kosheck at UFC 214 to retain his welterweight title.
2015: Frankie Edgar knocked out Chad Mendes at the TUF 22 Finale.
FINAL THOUGHTS
It must be fun to be Tyron Woodley and have to constantly defend yourself from public attacks by the man who is supposed to be promoting you. Seems like an awesome time.
Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.
EXIT POLL
Poll
Will Woodley end up stepping in to save UFC 233?
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