Reigning UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley will make his return from a one-year absence later this evening (Sat., Sept. 8, 2018) at UFC 228 live on pay-per-view (PPV) from inside American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, when he takes on undefeated English contender Darren Till.
In preparation for the main event title fight, UFC has opened up its vault and released one of the best Octagon performances of Woodley’s accomplished career. It just so happens to be the first time we ever saw “Chosen One” compete under UFC lights.
In the above “Knockout of the Week” video, Woodley can be seen making his Octagon debut against welterweight veteran Jay Hieron back at UFC 156 over five years ago. It didn’t take long for Woodley to catch Hieron with a filthy overhand right. Hieron dropped to the canvas, Woodley jumped on top for ferocious ground-and-pound, and that was all she wrote. Woodley walked away with his first UFC win, first UFC finish, and at that time just the second recorded knockout of his professional MMA career.
Woodley can certainly utilize this type of punching power against Till later tonight and make the Englishman regret his first UFC title shot, but will the champion be able to live on the wild side and actually pull the trigger?
We’ll find out one way or another. Stay tuned.