Tyron Woodley Says After He Wipes Out All The Welterweights He’ll Slide Up To Middleweight And Either Beat Out Kelvin Gastelum Or Take Out Robert Whittaker.
Current UFC Welterweight champion Tyron Woodley who won the title back in 2016 after defeating Robbie Lawler at UFC 201, Since then ‘The Chosen One’ successfully defended it four times. With his most recent defense came against Darren Till at UFC 228. That victory came with a cost, though as Woodley broke his hand in the fight, which required surgery. Now the champion is almost fully recovered and returning against Kamaru Usman (14-1) in the co-main event of UFC 235 on March 2 in Las Vegas.
While many top contenders at 170-pounds desire to lock horns against Woodley, mainly is outspoken Colby Covington who recently ripped UFC for passing over in favor of Usman. Not long ago ‘The Chosen One’ said after Kamaru Usman fight, he’ll fight ‘Chaos’ probably in June. Despite that, Welterweight champion considering a move up to the 185-pound division to win gold by the end of this year. (h/t ESPN)
“People in the middleweight (division), they need to watch out too. I might slide up on one of y’all by the end of the year,” Woodley said on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show. “Wipe out the division clean at welterweight and go up there and either beat (Kelvin) Gastelum up again or take out Robert Whittaker. They are both welterweights anyways. They just don’t know how to cut weight.”
To remind you Woodley already holds a split-decision win over Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 183 in a catchweight bout after Gastelum failed to make weight. A clash against Whittaker for a title would be an exciting matchup everyone would want to see as both men’s fight style include sharp jab, intelligent defense, and great power. Currently, Robert Whittaker is riding on a nine-fight win streak.
For his upcoming fight against Usman, Woodley isn’t too worried about what “The Nigerian Nightmare” will bring inside the Octagon.
“Kamaru Usman? He’s not ready for me yet. He’s not mature enough in the sport yet to be able to withstand what I’m going to bring at him,” Woodley said. “What’s Kamaru going to do, take me down? He’s going to out-strike me? He’s going to punch harder than me? He’s going to out-strategize me with fight IQ? He’s a version of myself five years ago.”
Kamaru Usman is undefeated in the UFC scored nine consecutive wins over the likes of Rafael dos Anjos, Leon Edwards, Emil Weber Meek, and Demian Maia. “The Nigerian Nightmare” is getting his first title shot since joining the promotion back in 2015.
Who’ll emerge victorious between Woodley and Usman at UFC 235?