Tyron Woodley has spent the previous decade turning into one of many prime attracts in blended martial arts—first as an up-and-coming rookie in 2005, then as a UFC contender in 2013, and since 2016, as UFC welterweight champion. Early on, T-Wooden saved followers on the sting of their seats. His versatility, jaw-dropping athleticism, and knockout energy put asses in chairs and opponents to the canvas. At press time, he had an 18-3 file, with 11 finishes (submission, knockout, technical knockout), however he started shedding favor with followers after claiming UFC gold final 12 months.
MMA followers don’t pony as much as watch boring fighters, and the UFC doesn’t put collectively combat playing cards that generate lackluster ticket gross sales or pay-per-view purchase charges. This, sadly, connects to Woodley as a result of the previous three title defenses have been licensed duds. At his final combat, at UFC 214 final July, he and Demian Maia set a file for least quantity of strikes thrown in a championship bout with a measly 86. Submit-fight, outspoken UFC president Dana White opined: “Who would pay to see Tyron Woodley combat?”
At UFC 228 on Sept. 8, Woodley is ready to combat undefeated Darren “the Gorilla” Until (17-0)—a brawler 11 years his junior and arguably probably the most hyped this facet of Conor McGregor. It’ll be T-Wooden’s first bout since having {a partially} torn labrum on his proper shoulder repaired 14 months in the past. Whether or not ring rust can be a difficulty has but to be seen, however much more essential is whether or not a younger, hungry contender will spoil his comeback.
“Shit, I’m that older fighter now,” Woodley says. “I’ve to channel that younger punk and keep in mind what he was prepared to do and sacrifice to get to the place I’m now.”
In fact, a Until win does greater than unseat the champ; it catapults him into a brand new tier of fighter, with the chance to grab a lot larger purses. Alternatively, a Woodley win secures the title however doesn’t strengthen his case “to solidify myself as the best welterweight of all time.” What is going to do this now could be a string of high-profile victories. Nevertheless, what may have achieved that already was a win over MMA legend Georges St-Pierre.
When GSP got here out of retirement in 2017 to combat for (and win) the middleweight belt, rumors of a GSP-Woodley matchup circulated. In the end, the combat would by no means occur, since “Rush” was compelled to vacate his title to cope with medical problems attributable to ulcerative colitis, and there’s no assure he’ll make one other return.
So after Woodley’s final snooze of a combat, he had the surgical procedure and spent the higher a part of 2018 recovering, which included a rigorous bodily remedy routine, stem cell injections, and even platelet-rich plasma (PRP) pictures—the latter two being strategies to hurry up the rebuilding technique of skeletal muscle to speed up therapeutic. Throughout this time he stayed seen to followers, showing on Fox as an analyst for UFC Tonight. He additionally took on an appearing gig in Escape Plan 2 and even tried stand-up comedy.
Whether or not these issues turned a distraction and whether or not his proper hand nonetheless packs the identical punch are up for debate, however Woodley stays upbeat. “I’ve to be assured,” he says. “My proper hand is my moneymaker.”
Although it appears as if the champion is backed up in opposition to the wall and combating to remain related in a younger man’s sport, it’d be unwise to depend Woodley out. Together with being a world-class wrestler with a whip-fast proper hand and a savvy combat IQ, he’s additionally in acquainted territory, as a result of he’s been combating his whole life.
Woodley wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth or golden gloves on his arms. He and his 12 siblings have been raised by a single mother in a high-crime, drug-riddled neighborhood in Ferguson, MO. Regardless of these pitfalls, Woodley by no means allowed his atmosphere to dictate his path. He as a substitute relied on laborious work and dedication and fought his strategy to turning into an All-American highschool and collegiate wrestler and the first-ever Huge 12 wrestling champ whereas attending the College of Missouri.
In 2005, he started his MMA profession, and by the point he made his UFC debut in 2013, Woodley had a 12-1 file, with eight wins coming by means of knockout or submission. Within the massive leagues, he made his presence recognized with first-round knockout wins over Jay Heiron, Josh Koscheck, Dong Hyun Kim, after which–welterweight champion Robbie Lawler.
At UFC 228, the tip end result will seemingly arrange one in every of two eventualities for Woodley: assist him to reestablish himself because the premier welterweight, or power an getting old fighter to reestablish himself as a contender. Judging by the previous, sensible cash would wager on the previous, as a result of regardless of his moniker of “the Chosen One,” greatness was by no means left to likelihood for Tyron Woodley—it was a selection.
Snapshot
- Birthdate: April 7, 1982
- Top: 5’9”
- Weight: 200 lbs; 170 lbs. (when combating)
- Birthplace: Ferguson, MO
- Nickname: The Chosen One
- MMA File: 18-3-1
- Instagram and Twitter: @twooodley
Woodley’s Coaching Routine
Woodley has come a good distance since his days as a wrestler on the College of Missouri, the place he labored out with one aim in thoughts: to maneuver as a lot weight as potential.
“Once I first acquired to Mizzou, everybody did the identical soccer lifts—Olympic lifts, squats, bench presses, and deadlifts,” Woodley says. For these of you questioning, sure, T-Wooden is as sturdy as he appears. At 165 kilos, he squatted 425 kilos for 5 reps, benched 365 for 5, and deadlifted “600 or 605…one thing loopy.” An elite athlete as well, he additionally boasted a 43-inch vertical soar.
These days are lengthy prior to now. Now Woodley forgoes heavy weights altogether and focuses on his agility—with ladder and band work—and conditioning. “Now I don’t should be beneath something greater than 185 to 200 kilos,” he explains. “I don’t want extra muscle. I would like endurance. I would like explosion. I would like fast ft. In order that’s why I’m hitting the agility ladder, pushing a sled, doing sprints, and slamming the drugs ball. These are the issues that I can do and nonetheless carry out at one hundred pc.”
Under is without doubt one of the full-body exercises Woodley used to prep for UFC 228. Win or lose, he little doubt was in one of the best rattling form he’s ever been in.
Woodley’s Title-Card Exercise
Carry out workouts marked with the identical quantity back-to-back, with no relaxation in between. After every circuit/superset is full, adhere to the prescribed relaxation time.
- 1A. Versaclimber Dash: 3 units of 30 sec.
- 1B. Swiss Ball Plank Extension: 3 units of 20
- 1C. Banded Again Extension: 3 units of 20
Relaxation 45 sec.
- 2A. Lateral Band Stroll: 1 set of 20 (every method)
- 2B. Ahead Band Stroll: 1 set of 20 (ahead and again)
- 2C. Lunge With Exterior Rotation: 1 set of 10 (per facet)
- 2D. Strolling Hamstring Stretch: 1 set of 10 (per facet)
Relaxation 45 sec.
- 3A. Entice-Bar Deadlift: 5 units of 10
- 3B. Vertical Soar: 5 units of 5
Relaxation 45 sec.
- 4A. Bulgarian Break up Squat: 3 units of 15, 12, 10
- 4B. Lateral Band Abduction: 3 units of 20 (per facet)
- 4C. Pullup: 3 units of 12
- 4D. Banded Face-Pull: 3 units of 20
Relaxation 60 sec.
- 5A. Inverted Row*: 3 units of 15
- 5B. Dumbbell Elevate Sequence**: 3 units of 20 (every transfer)
Relaxation 45 sec.
*Start every set with a 5-second isometric maintain on the prime.
**Carry out 20 lateral raises, then 20 entrance raises, then 20 extra lateral raises with mild dumbbells. (Woodley makes use of 10 to fifteen kilos.)
