Respect for Mr. Woodley
Tyron Woodley is STILL the UFC’s reigning, defending, welterweight champion, and up until UFC 228, I was hardly a fan. I classified Woodley as the least exciting belt holder in the history of the 170 pound weight class. This, coming from someone who barely started watching MMA in earnest during the Ronda Rousey era. Who was I to hate on him?
After Woodley knocked down, then choked out, Liverpool contender Darren Till, I felt quite guilty. I was happy for Woodley, and thrilled to witness the punishment suffered by Till. But what was I to do with the dump truck’s worth of Tyron-inspired-saltiness harbored in my memory bank?
I must own it. Were I ever to come face-to-face with Woodley, would I own it to his face? Hell, no. I may be a misguided MMA fan, but I’m not rude. And I won’t hide from my past sentiments here.
I did not enjoy Tyron Woodley’s last two fights; not the second chess war with Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, and not the skill-versus-skill stalemate with Demian Maia. And so, going into UFC 228, I was conflicted. I resented Till for getting a title shot, especially since I felt he lost his bout with Thompson at UFC Fight Night in Liverpool. Also, his brash over-confidence rubbed me the wrong way.
Ultimately, I did root for Woodley, and his glorious win only made me feel ashamed for choosing his side as a lesser-of-two-evils option. But nothing can, or should, be taken away from Woodley. He came to win, as always, no matter the manner. Only this time he was able to clobber instead of waver.
Woodley killed it during the post-fight interviews as well, demonstrating that he is a true professional athlete on every level. While silly, repetitive questions were lofted his way about his status in the division, his status with the fans, his status with Dana White, Woodley remained composed and respectful, in the way that someone who’s always known the truth behaves.
And so, ultimate respect to Tyron Woodley. Even if his next round of fights are slow and steady races to the finish, it can never be forgotten that Woodley is badass.