Tyron Woodley had a bad 2019. First, the former welterweight champion lost his title to Kamaru Usman at UFC 235 in one of the worst performances of the year. Then, Woodley was forced out of a scheduled rematch with Robbie Lawler last summer when he injured his hand. Since then, Woodley has been on the shelf rehabbing his injury and just last weekend, “The Chosen One” had to end 2019 by watching Usman defend his belt against Woodley’s bitter rival Colby Covington at UFC 245, winning the fight the same way Woodley always said he would, by breaking Covington’s jaw. It was a fight many consider to be among the best of the year, but Woodley says all it made him was sick.

“Kamaru won the fight, broke Colby’s jaw,” Woodley told TMZ Sports recently. “Colby, I thought, was winning the fight by a little small margin. I wasn’t impressed. I was really disgusted. I wanted to throw up, the fact that I lost to Usman. If I would’ve punched Colby, he may be on life support right now.

“When I’m looking at how many punches those guys took, I was impressed by their durability, I was impressed by the fact that the kept doing it over and over again- it was kind of a teeter-tottering thing - but as far as I.Q., move your f*cking head maybe? I didn’t see a lot of that, I was surprised that I didn’t see a lot of wrestling. I thought I was going to see a lot a lot of wrestling. I didn’t see a lot of power. I guess you can’t make a motherf*cker have power. You can’t inject power into somebody’s body - well, [laughs] you can inject power into somebody’s body, it’s called USADA failure.”

Usman and Covington engaged in a back-and-forth battle and though Covington ultimately lost, many people gained respect for the most controversial man in the division because of the way he fought on despite breaking his jaw in the middle of the fight. Woodley is not one of those people. The former champion says there are no moral victories inside the cage.

“I just don’t like when people try to give unnecessary savage moments,” Woodley continued. “‘Oh he broke his jaw in the second round and kept fighting!’ Yeah, but you lost. How many times have I broken my foot against Kelvin Gastelum, or tore my shoulder against Demian Maia, or f*cked my hand up against Darren Till and still won. That’s the difference. I never got the savage moments, ‘Oh, Tyron’s so tough because he continued, and won!’ So f*ck both of them. I don’t want to give them no love, I don’t want to give them no clout.”

Harsh words, especially for Usman who, Woodley has previously shown a lot of respect for. But this appears to be a new Woodley, one who is tired of not getting the credit he feels he deserves and he went on to clarify that he still has respect for Usman and what’s he accomplished, but that he’s coming to get his title back.

“I always got respect for Kamaru but that don’t mean I’m not gonna say f*ck him,” Woodley explained. “I respect what you do, I respect that the night that we fought, he came forth and executed a game plan. You can never take that away from him. He fought against the greatest welterweight of all time, he stayed focused, he stayed dedicated, with everything at stake and was able to execute. That’s it. He will get respect from me. I told him myself, ‘I have to call you champ. You are champion.’ Even if he lose the next fight to me, forever he will get the word champ from me. But when it comes down to fighting, f*ck him, f*ck all the welterweights, Leon, peon, whoever else. F*ck everybody because I’m the best welterweight of all time.”

Woodley did make two exceptions though and the names might surprise you: Mike Perry and Jorge Masvidal. Woodley says he respects those two men because they’re authentic and, hie big problem with the UFC 245 main event was that it felt contrived.

“When I watch the division, it’s really me,” Woodley said. “I’m the only name in the division. It’s only two guys that I really, really respect on a different level and that’s Mike Perry and Jorge Masvidal. Those two are real motherf*ckers, no matter what. When you look back, ten years behind, they were the same people. When you see these guys switching sides like they jumping fences, I just can’t take it. They corny.”

Woodley might have a point. Covington’s beef was originally with Woodley and that was the feud that was anticipated to happen. Instead, Covington and the UFC kept getting into contractual disputes and then Woodley lost the title. Now, with both men coming off losses, it might be the time to finally see the real grudge match play out.

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MUST-READ STORIES

UFC Busan. Korean Zombie makes short work of Frankie Edgar, calls for title shot

Bellator results. Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, A.J. McKee pick up big wins in Hawaii.

Bellator results. Toby Misech lays out Erik Perez in last-second headliner.

Out. Korean Zombie to undergo eye surgery after UFC Busan win over Frankie Edgar.

Tease. Jon Jones wanted Stipe Miocic next, teases heavyweight move in 2020.

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VIDEO STEW

Bellator 235 highlights.

Bellator 236 highlights.

MixedMollyWhoppery on Conor’s return.

Masvidal vs. Pettis in a charity grappling match.

Usman wants to be the next Bachelor.

Conor-Cowboy fan trailer.

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LISTEN UP

6th Round. Immediate post-fight reaction to UFC Busan.

Severe MMA. Discussing Frankie Edgar’s career, Fedor vs. Rampage, and Cejudo.

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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Statement.

Signed.

Cold.

Conversely, good guy Jon Jones.

Picking a fight.

Phil Baroni hanging up the gloves.

Bryce stays trying for those camo shorts.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Angela Hill (10-7) vs. Hannah Cifers (10-3); UFC Raleigh, Jan. 25.

Dillon Danis (2-0) vs. Kegan Gennrich (2-1); Bellator 238, Jan. 25.

John Dodson (20-11) vs. Nathaniel Wood (16-3); UFC Rio Rancho, Feb. 15.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Because of the holidays, we’re gonna be short a few TMR’s this week. This is the last one until Friday. So have a good one and Happy Holidays!

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EXIT POLL

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