In two days at UFC Vegas 11, the former welterweight champion of the world has a chance to silence all the doubters. With his back up against the wall like never before, Tyron Woodley (19-5-1) finds himself in a sink or swim situation on Saturday night.
Not even two years ago, many were putting Woodley in the conversation as one of the greatest UFC welterweights of all time. Some (not me), even put him in the same conversation as Georges St. Pierre. Oh how the times have changed in just a year and a half.
After being put in those lofty conversations, the former UFC welterweight champion is on a two fight losing streak. Not only is he on a two fight losing streak, he’s on a two fight shutout streak where he’s lost all ten rounds in those two UFC contests.
Woodley is getting another main event against his biggest rival in the division, Colby Covington (15-2). He finds himself in a position where he has to win. If Woodley cannot win on Saturday night, he could be facing some tough realities in his UFC career.
Last chance for the former UFC champion?
Prior to UFC 235, Woodley was on a seven fight winning streak with one draw thrown in there. Outside of Stephen Thompson, his welterweight title reign was pure dominance. Woodley shutout Demian Maia, submitted Darren Till, and knocked out Robbie Lawler.
Many people believed that Woodley would also defeat Kamaru Usman and continue his UFC title reign. However, Usman completely dominated Woodley in a performance that was pretty embarassing by Woodley’s standards.
After the loss, the former champion took over a year off to dedicate him back to the sport. He was originally scheduled to fight Leon Edwards, but after that fight fell through, he fought Gilbert Burns in May at UFC on ESPN 9.
That night, once again, Woodley was completely dominated. Now, he gets the matchup he’s always wanted with Covington. If he can win, we might be looking at another title run. If he loses, he might have to look down at the pieces of shattered glory. Saturday is a big night for the former champion.