In the ever-evolving saga of Jake Paul’s venture into combat sports, things have taken a turn, leaving former UFC champion Tyron Woodley feeling a tinge of disrespect. Having played a crucial role in Paul’s early success, Woodley is now pushing for an MMA rematch, emphasizing that overlooking him is a disregard for the numbers and history they’ve created together.
Jake Paul has transitioned from fighting past-their-prime MMA stars to a more serious pursuit in boxing. Fresh off a spectacular first-round knockout against Andre August, Paul recently unveiled plans to collaborate with Team USA Boxing for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, showcasing a deeper commitment to the sweet science beyond influencer aspirations.
However, Paul’s ambitions extend beyond the boxing ring, with a slated mixed martial arts debut under the PFL banner in the coming year. While no official opponent has been announced, Paul has been actively pursuing Nate Diaz for a potential showdown inside the Smart Cage.
Amidst the anticipation of Paul’s MMA debut, Tyron Woodley, a two-time challenger to ‘The Problem Child,’ expresses a sense of disrespect for not being considered for the coveted spot that Paul is actively trying to fill with Nate Diaz.
Former UFC Champion Tyron Woodley Wants MMA Rematch With Jake Paul
In an interview with TMZ, Woodley voiced his sentiments, stating, “If you’re going to fight anybody in MMA, you fight me in MMA. I’m the one that did the numbers with you. I’m the one that had the crazy millions and millions of views in the press conference. I’m the one that was a five-time champion. I’m the one that took the fight on two weeks’ notice.”
Woodley’s frustration stems from a split decision loss to Paul in August 2021, followed by a brutal knockout in the sixth round of their rematch four months later. Despite the setbacks in the boxing ring, Woodley believes he is the logical choice for an MMA rematch, citing his extensive history of world championship wins, a feat unmatched by potential competitors like Nate Diaz.
“If you really, really want to prove that you can do it in my world, you fight the No. 1 guy in that world,” Woodley asserts. “Nate has never touched gold, never been close to gold ever. Either has [Derek] Brunson and I saw some other people barking. Everybody wants to jump on the bandwagon. You kind of sound like groupies. Everybody wants to fight Jake.”
Reflecting on his own achievements, Woodley recalls capturing the welterweight title at UFC 201, defending it four times against notable names like Demian Maia, Darren Till, and Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson. Despite his accomplishments, Woodley feels overlooked in the MMA conversation surrounding Jake Paul, particularly given his affiliation with the PFL.
Expressing his disappointment, Woodley comments, “MMA wise, the fact that we’re not even speaking about me fighting him, especially with my affiliation with the PFL, it’s kind of disrespectful.”
Praise for Paul
Despite his disappointment with the PFL situation, Woodley remains complimentary of Jake Paul’s boxing career. In fact, he contributed to the broadcast team on DAZN for Paul’s recent victory, offering praise for the performance.
“I thought he did a great job,” Woodley said. “I literally said, ‘Hey man, Andre better watch ducking his head because he’s going to get hit with an up, I couldn’t even say uppercut. I just got the U-P off and then he was sending him to the moon.”
As the drama unfolds, Tyron Woodley makes a compelling case for a rematch, challenging the notion that anyone else would be a more fitting opponent in the realm of MMA. Only time will tell if Jake Paul will heed Woodley’s call and step back into the cage for a rematch that could redefine their narrative in the world of combat sports.
