Earlier this week, news broke that former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley would be making the move to boxing to face Jake Paul this summer. The bout has been teased since Paul knocked out Woodley’s friend and training partner Ben Askren in April, and one that Paul’s team views as a compelling step up in competition for the brash former Disney Channel star. Woodley, of course, will not only score a tremendous payday but the former welterweight champion says he believes this bout will open up big opportunities for him down the line.
“I think I box some more,” Woodley told TMZ Sports when asked what happens after he fights Jake Paul. “I mean, s***, I want to fight twice this year, so I’ll fight him August 28 and around November I’ll be ready to box again. I don’t know exactly who, when, where, what, how, but I know that me going out and really doing work is going to put me in a position to open up other windows.”
Woodley is in a difficult position in his fighting career. After being a dominant champion for several years, Woodley lost his last four fights in the UFC before parting ways with the promotion earlier this year. But when one door closes, another one opens and Woodley leaving the UFC is what allowed this fight with Paul to be made, which Woodley believes will usher in a career renaissance.
“Who knows what’s next? This may open up the door for me taking some other fights at different weights,” Woodley said. “Fighting at 190 (pounds) and then having to go back to 170 (pounds) is like ‘agh’ because, you know, the amount of money I’m going to make for this fight is going to be quite different from some of the other UFC fights or even different promotions that want to do MMA fights. But if you want me to do MMA at 170, now the bag is stupid. The best thing that’s happened in the last 24 hours, I’m smiling that my market value is where it’s at. You won’t put me on the clearance rack. I won’t be on aisle nine.
“August 28, you’re gonna see (my time)’s not past and you’re gonna want to see more of it.”
Hopefully, Woodley is right because it’s been some time since he put on a performance fans wanted to see. Not only is he currently on a four-fight losing streak but “The Chosen One” has not looked particularly competitive in his losses, failing to win a single round in any of them and getting finished in the last two. However, in each of those instances Woodley was facing one of the best fighters on the planet; in Paul, he will be taking a major step down in competition. However, just because Paul will be the least-threatening opponent he has faced in some time doesn’t mean Woodley is taking the YouTuber lightly. In fact, with so much riding on this fight, Woodley says he’s going to put in the work to make sure this fight doesn’t go like his most recent ones.
“When I say this is gonna be the easiest fight and the biggest payday of my career, that’s the truth but not because he’s an easy fight, because I’m gonna train my ass off and make it an easy fight,” Woodley concluded. “It’s a difference. The difference between being prepared and cocky is I’m gonna make it an easy fight because I’m going to kill myself in the training room. I’m gonna train my ass off, I’m gonna be ready to roll. I’m excited about this. To be honest, I haven’t been excited about a fight in a very long time and I’m excited about this fight.”
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VIDEO STEW
What the Heck.
The A-Side Live Chat.
Best finishes from UFC Vegas 28 fighters.
A guide to Muslim Salikhov.
LISTEN UP
UFC Unfiltered. Interviews with Marcin Tybura and Jordan Leavitt.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Felt like we already knew this but just in case.
Ohhh And it gets better…. We’re going to be parents. Can’t wait till you’re born America. Daddy and mommy can’t wait to meet you. Baby Triple C in the making ❤️ #America pic.twitter.com/JWP1Y1sKdh
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) June 2, 2021
Beef.
@alexvolkanovski when you show me respect in person then turn around and get on a podcast and call me fake, says more about you then me. Even when @joerogan asked you why you had nothing to back up your statement.
— Brian Ortega (@BrianTcity) June 1, 2021
Ayy @alexvolkanovski why your shirt go down to your knees tho . Tuck your shirt in bro so you can look like pic.twitter.com/Jpl7Hf6pdJ
— Brian Ortega (@BrianTcity) June 3, 2021
Smart.
I always heard that sexual activity, like soy, lowers your testosterone, so I stayed away from it and just let the test build up. Looks like that decision’s paying off https://t.co/lzU6Gcehoe
— Chase Hooper (@chase_hooper) June 2, 2021
Not sure if this is a compliment but I see it.
Let’s go!! https://t.co/yhK0PdG46j
— Anthony Smith (@lionheartasmith) June 2, 2021
Caught in the act.
Day 3 and the diet starts next week pic.twitter.com/YzgtLswtLi
— Robert Whittaker (@robwhittakermma) June 2, 2021
Wine enthusiast and astrophysicist.
If mars hasn’t more than 1 sun they had a photo crew w lights and all equipment to create that shadow on opposite angle
Some people saying it was made here on earth in some studio, but i don’t know pic.twitter.com/mzgcNcgDgW— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) June 3, 2021
Fight poster.
Featherweight action on deck for #UFCVegas29
[ @KoreanZombieMMA vs @DynamiteDan808 | June 19th ] pic.twitter.com/vrVRPfQt2N— UFC (@ufc) June 2, 2021
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Vanessa Porto (22-9) vs. Ilara Joanne (9-5); Bellator 260, June 11.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.
EXIT POLL
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