Tyron Woodley eyes UFC Fight Night as comeback for the summer
Esther Lin/MMA Fighting
Headlining UFC Fight Night on May 30, Welterweight Tyron Woodley will take on Gilbert Burns in the first fight back in Las Vegas, NV since the beginning COVID-19 pandemic.
Cornering Woodley at the UFC Apex facility on Saturday is former UFC fighter and co-star of “Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight,” Din Thomas. Thomas recently left his job at American Top Team and is starting his own camp for fighters. For the first time since his departure, he will coach a fighter while being at the event itself.
While Woodley faces off against Burns for the main event, Thomas will be in his corner giving tips and coaching the No. 1 ranked welterweight in the world, second only champion Kamaru Usman.
According to Thomas, Woodley is ready and eager to enter the Octagon. The UFC had to contend with COVID-19 with an emphasis on safety first. As a result, it was uncertain when fighters would be able to compete again.
“I am actually very happy because this fight is taking place,” Thomas said in an interview with Sean Lennon.
“Tyron had started camp in December…so we have been around training,” Thomas said. ”The fact that there have been such delays… has just made him hungry. It made him hungry to prove to everybody what he is capable of.”
Woodley is coming back from a major loss to Usman for the welterweight strap in March of 2019. Since then, Woodley has taken some time off to reset and focus on training. After undergoing a five month training camp, Thomas says that Woodley is ready for another shot at the title.
“He is so motivated,” Thomas said. “None of [the opponents] matter right now. He wants to fight them all. He wants to get out there and show the world the old Tyron.”
With Woodley still near the top of the rankings, a win on Saturday might be what puts him over the top and in the position for a rematch for the welterweight title. Who he fights next is in the hands of the matchmakers, but Thomas makes it clear that Woodley is back and ready to fight whoever stands in his way.
On Saturday, May 30, Woodley will take on Burns for the main event of UFC Fight Night at the Apex facility in Las Vegas, NV.
Written by: Drew Pierce