Tyron Woodley has a lot going on outside of his Octagon duties, but the UFC’s welterweight champ insists his fighting career takes top priority.
In recent years, Woodley has become a regular analyst on UFC broadcasts, and in addition, the champ’s taken steps into the acting and music world. As a result, some of his detractors, like Colby Covington, have accused Woodley of focusing on his ambitions in Hollywood, instead of throwing hands in the cage.
Well, recently Woodley was asked to comment on the claims that he’s dodging fights in favor of non-combative pursuits, and the powerful wrestler said this (quotes via MMA Junkie):
“There’s nothing that I do outside the octagon that ever stops me from being able to fight,” said Woodley. “Surgery and being out rehabbing is what kept me from fighting earlier than what I’ve liked to. It’s never been me doing a movie, or an album, or television.”
“It’s a misunderstanding that I would allow something in entertainment outside of fighting to stop me from taking a fight,” Woodley said. “That’s something that would never happen.”
There you have it, and really, this narrative regarding Woodley’s supposed unwillingness to fight is somewhat puzzling. Since Woodley won the belt in 2016, by taking out Robbie Lawler, he’s fought four times. Twice in 2017, which is common for most champs, and just once last year, but that was due to injuries. Woodley tore his labrum in his July, 2017, win over Demian Maia. In September, 2018, he returned to action and submitted Darren Till.
One would think that if Woodley does get back Kamaru Usman at UFC 235, March 2nd, 2019 will likely be a two-fight campaign. But, you never know. If Woodley can stay healthy, and opponents do the same, fights this summer and then in the fall / winter could happen.
Here is the line-up for UFC 235, which will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada.
UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
Jon Jones (c) vs. Anthony Smith
UFC Welterweight Championship
Tyron Woodley (c) vs. Kamaru Usman
Welterweight: Robbie Lawler vs. Ben Askren
Strawweight: Tecia Torres vs. Weili Zhang
Welterweight: Diego Sanchez vs. Mickey Gall
Female Bantamweight: Gina Mazany vs. Macy Chiasson
Female Bantamweight: Holly Holm vs. Aspen Ladd
Featherweight: Jeremy Stephens vs. Zabit Magomedsharipov
Light Heavyweight: Ovince Saint Preux vs. Misha Cirkunov
Bantamweight: Cody Garbrandt vs. Pedro Munhoz
Bantamweight: Thomas Almeida vs. Marlon Vera