Tyron Woodley

Fighter Facts

• Pro since 2009
  
   
• Five wins by submission (arm triangle, armbar, 2 D’Arce choke, RNC), seven by KO
  
   
• Made four successful title defenses
  
   
• Fought nine of his 26 pro fights in Strikeforce
  
   
• 6-3-1 in last 10 fights; on three-fight losing streak
  
   
• Nine first round finishes
  
   
• Appeared in the film Straight Outta Compton

UFC History

UFC 260 (3/27/21) Woodley was submitted by Vicente Luque (D'Arce choke) at 3:56 of the first round

UFC Fight Night (9/19/20) Woodley lost via TKO (injury) to Colby Covington at 1:19 of the fifth round

UFC on ESPN (5/30/20) Woodley lost a five round unanimous decision to Gilbert Burns

UFC 235 (3/2/19) Woodley lost a five round unanimous decision to Kamaru Usman, losing his UFC welterweight title

UFC 228 (9/8/18) Woodley retained his UFC welterweight title with a second round submission of Darren Till via D’Arce choke at 4:19 of the second round

UFC 214 (7/29/17) Woodley retained his UFC welterweight title with a five-round majority decision over Demian Maia

UFC 209 (3/4/17) Woodley retained his UFC welterweight title with a five-round majority decision over Stephen Thompson

UFC 205 (11/12/16) Woodley retained his UFC welterweight title with a five-round draw against Stephen Thompson

UFC 201 (7/30/16) Woodley knocked out Robbie Lawler at 2:12 of the first round to win the UFC welterweight title

UFC 183 (1/31/15) Woodley won a three round split decision over Kelvin Gastelum

UFC Fight Night (8/23/14) Woodley stopped Dong Hyun Kim via strikes at 1:01 of the first round

UFC 174 (6/14/14) Woodley lost a three round unanimous decision to Rory MacDonald

UFC 171 (3/15/14) Woodley defeated Carlos Condit via TKO due to injury at 2:00 of the second round

UFC 167 (11/16/13) Woodley knocked out Josh Koscheck at 4:38 of the first round

UFC 161 (6/15/13) Woodley lost a three round split decision to Jake Shields

UFC 156 (2/2/13) Woodley knocked out Jay Hieron at :36 of the first round

STRIKEFORCE History

Rockhold vs. Kennedy (7/14/12) Woodley was knocked out by Nate Marquardt at 1:39 of the fourth round in a Strikeforce welterweight title fight

Rockhold vs. Jardine (1/7/12) Woodley won a three round split decision over Jordan Mein

Fedor vs. Henderson (7/30/11) Woodley won a three round unanimous decision over Paul Daley

Challengers 13 (1/7/11) Woodley won a three round unanimous decision over Tarec Saffiedine

Diaz vs. Noons 2 (10/9/10) Woodley knocked out Andre Galvao at 1:48 of the first round

Challengers 8 (5/21/10) Woodley won a three round split decision over Nathan Coy

Challengers 5 (11/20/09) Woodley submitted Rudy Bears via arm triangle choke at 2:52 of the first round

Challengers 3 (9/25/09) Woodley submitted Zach Light via armbar at 3:38 of the second round

Lawler vs. Shields (6/6/09) Woodley submitted Sal Woods via choke at 4:20 of the first round

Q&A

TRAINING: I get up and eat my Metabolic Meal to fuel the machine! Wrestling in the AM to ensure my strength stays sharp. Two hours later I do my circuit training and conditioning. Eat again, nap and bring the Beast out to play again at 7:45 p.m. with focus mitts and a jog. Protein shake and sleep by 10 p.m. That's my MWF. On the the odd days I spar in the AM and grapple in the PM. I usually get my sprints right in after I spar, and stretch and roll. Friday I do my versa climber sprints, yoga to loosen up for Saturday. We spar Saturday and do a field day: sled sprints, tire flips, battle ropes, and plyos. Sunday is church, rest, massage, recovery, and family time.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started training after I graduated college. I started watching some of the wrestlers that were doing well in the sport and I thought my wrestling translated well, so I wanted to get in there and give it a try.

What ranks and titles have you held? Brown Belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Do you have any heroes? Jesus, my Mom, and Ali......in that order

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? I don't want to get caught up in the hype! I've had bouts with more at stake. So I want to relax and get the first one under my belt, put on a great show, declare war on all welterweights.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? University of Missouri grad. Studied Business, and currently halfway done in a Masters in Public Administration with an a focus on Non Profit

What was your job before you started fighting? College wrestling coach

Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? 7-0 Amateur MMA, 48-0 high school state champ in wrestling, two-time high school All-American, Big-12 champ, two-time D-I college All-American, over 100 college victories

Specific accomplishments in pro competition? Victory over a very game Tarec Saffiedine

Favorite grappling technique: D’arce Choke

Favorite striking technique: Straight Right