With his UFC 171 victory over Carlos Condit undeniably marred by injury, Tyron Woodley feels he’s been unfairly characterized as just a fitness model brawler. Oft criticized for a slowing workrate during later rounds, Woodley experienced a noticeable drop-off in a split decision loss to Jake Shields at UFC 161 last June. Conversely, Woodley’s best work typically comes in the form of spectacular first-round knockouts, as Josh Koscheck learned at UFC 167 in November.
Justified or not, Woodley says critiques of his endurance are being unfairly attributed to his muscular physique.
“It’s almost like they’re punishing you for training hard,” Woodley told MMA Mental. “They’re punishing you for being physically fit. I think Joe Rogan is horrendous for his commentary that he did for that fight. Everything was, ‘Oh, Tyron threw a hard bomb but Carlos took it. He’s got such a great chin. Oh, Tyron has a takedown. Look at Carlos. He’s doing the mission impossible guard [mission control].’ Everything that I did he was leaning it towards the credit of Carlos Condit.
“I think sometimes when you watch a fight and you listen to the commentary you can kind of veer the spectators, and hopefully not the UFC, in directions it shouldn’t be going.”
While Rogan was overtly complimentary of Woodley during the opening moments of the bout, his first mention of Woodley’s pace came just two minutes into Round 1 by comparing Woodley to a muscle car, saying, “It’s fun to hit that gas, but you’re not going to make it to Vegas.” Rogan reinforced that notion a minute later, saying, “Woodley’s slowing down already.” Rogan’s counterpart, Mike Goldberg, opened Round 2 saying, “Let’s keep an eye on the cardio of Tyron Woodley and the technique of Carlos Condit.” Rogan replied, “You can see his stomach moving. He’s taking some deep breaths. It’s certainly not the Tyron Woodley that came out in the first round, fresh.”
Rogan’s commentary flows seamlessly with how he seemed to characterize Woodley during his UFC 171 preview leading up to the event. “So many things make [Woodley] dangerous,” said Rogan. “His athleticism. His Power. His ridiculous speed. His excellent wrestling.”
“I was not wincing,” says Woodley. “I was not in any harm or any danger at any point in the fight. My cardio felt great and it was even in my gameplan to increase the level in the third round. I wasn’t even at full speed. People say, ‘He started off hard! He started off in a full sprint!’ I didn’t even start off in a full sprint. If they think that’s a full sprint for me, then I’m happy with it because they haven’t seen a full sprint yet.”
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Questionable calls. Referee Herb Dean defends his recent controversial stoppages.
Signal to noise. Luke Thomas gives us the best and worst from UFC 171.
You say jump. The Nevada State Athletic Commission has forced Rousimar Palhares to uproot his training camp and fly from Brazil to Nevada to take a urine test before granting him a license to compete at WSOF 9 on Mar. 29.
New Shogun. Mauricio Rua says he lacked motivation training alone under hired coaches and that he’s a new man since joining up with Demian Maia and Daniel Sarafian in São Paulo.
32lbs in two weeks. Andre Fili talks about the struggle to make weight for his UFC debut at UFC 166.
MEDIA STEW
Dana White’s vlog with footage from UFC 169 and UFC 170.
EA calls this gameplay. You be the judge.
Chael Sonnen plays word association.
Oh, Drew Fickett. (skip to 12:00)
Who ya got?
Tommy Toe Holds’s mail sack.
Long watches.
Joe Rogan Experience #471 – Matt Serra
TWEETS
Many scared homies.
Agree and is 100% fear http://t.co/6i3EpZot07
— Hector Lombard (@HectorLombard) March 18, 2014
Interesting.
Trained hard with the #bellator champ this morning emanuel_newton good luck next week. http://t.co/yslCUHCFa9
— Quinton Jackson (@Rampage4real) March 17, 2014
Already wants another.
Dear @ufc sure would love to fight in June Albuquerque card!! Just sayin 6 fights 1 year. If your a fighter looking to fight #comeon
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) March 18, 2014
Get well.
The doctor just cleared me to begin punching the heavy bag and mitts again!
— Cole Miller (@colemillerATT) March 18, 2014
Wit @dc_mma n crew teaching some techniques @UFC gym here in Torrence….Break the posture,n they… http://t.co/WkuXmKSnek
— Dominick Cruz (@TheDomin8r) March 18, 2014
The ghosts love themselves some Schaub.
Im in..i guess lol “@Zak_Bagans: Soon, I got a demonic investigation I need help with and ur the man!!! HA”
— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) March 18, 2014
Looking good.
RT @BrianButler_Au: Text with @hypeordie about his kickboxing return this Saturday! http://t.co/3iIiXrmQVm
— Pat Barry (@HypeOrDie) March 18, 2014
Great photobombs.
So much going on in this photo… Squatched lol… But the belt looks good haha mmilkowska http://t.co/KtXBa2YcLU
— Pat Curran (@PatCurranMMA) March 18, 2014
Firas Zahabi, David Loiseau, where’s is Waldo? https://t.co/9MEcpYqXwy
— Ivan Menjivar ufc (@Ivanmenjivar) March 19, 2014
Magnificent.
Just got off work.Called in did the old 12 to 8am at tittie bar.Now @PSI_Performance then @OneKicksGym come home and sleep! #grinding
— phil baroni (@philbaroni) March 18, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Mar. 18 2014)
Ben Henderson vs. Rustam Khabilov at UFC Fight Night Albuquerque
Lance Benoist vs. Bobby Voelker at UFC Fight Night Albuquerque
Anthony Njokuani vs. Vinc Pichel at UFC 173
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Da Headbanger.
Everything You NEED to Know About UFC Fight Night 38*
Now this is what a Fight Night preliminary card should look like. Then again, the UFC usually aims for this only to have injuries ruin the best laid of plans. There are a few debuting fighters with some promise. Some prospects who’ve been around that are looking to get back upon the right track. A pair of veterans who were once contenders are vying for relevancy against one another. Another fighter is testing himself at a new weight class.
About my only complaint is that half of the fights are genuine toss-ups on whom to pick while the others seem to be set up as a way to get a particular fighter on track. While I understand that, I feel those types of matches should be used judiciously. Oh well. I don’t get paid to make matches.
…
Check out the rest of the post here.
Found something you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s column.