Former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley expressed his dislike for ex-middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and stated he would return to the octagon just to fight him.
Former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley is not in favor of ex-middleweight champ Israel Adesanya and would like a chance to compete against him. In a conversation about his UFC and boxing career with former UFC light heavyweight champion Rampage Jackson, featured on the Jaxxon video podcast, he was asked who he might want to return to the octagon to face. Woodley was quick with his response, stating he would be eager to face Adesanya.
This visceral dislike for Adesanya stems from Woodley’s on-and-off feud with the now-former champ, who lost his title to Sean Strickland earlier at UFC 293. Woodley explained, “Because he is fake, he was never Israel Adesanya …” While originally giving due respect to Adesanya early in his career for his unique style, things took a turn when considering possible opponents. Instead of seeking out weak opponents, Woodley was interested in fighting the best, saying, “To be the best, you’ve got to beat the best.”
However, their animosity did not fuse into a head-to-head combat as Woodley lost his title to now-former champ Kamaru Usman. Later, Woodley confronted Jake Paul in two boxing matches, both of which he lost, resulting in his stepping away from fighting. While there is speculation of his return to boxing, nothing has been announced. Meanwhile, Adesanya is gearing up for a possible rematch with Strickland. Despite the likelihood of them ever facing off being low, Woodley would certainly welcome the opportunity.
Their detailed interview sheds more light into their relationships with UFC CEO Dana White, their take on PRIDE, fight fixing allegations, and more. Despite their apparent friction, the interview provides an insightful look into their perspectives as seasoned fighters, their careers, and the dynamic world of UFC.