Tyron Woodley says a attainable transfer into Actual American Freestyle is tied as a lot to household and restoration as it’s to competitors. In an unique interview, the previous UFC welterweight champion stated he’s keen on wrestling for RAF, however provided that his knees are prepared, whereas additionally taking a shot at rival Colby Covington’s wrestling after recalling time spent coaching collectively.
Tyron Woodley in RAF
Woodley framed the RAF concept as a part of getting wholesome and getting again on the mat along with his son, who wrestles. He stated that return issues to him as a result of it helps him keep sharp sufficient to information his son from direct expertise somewhat than reminiscence. He additionally stated RAF has invited him to attend exhibits and mentioned attainable opponents with him, although he stopped wanting saying a match is ready.
“A part of it’s me therapeutic up so I can transfer the fitting approach and sleep proper. My son wrestles now, so I’m getting again in there to wrestle with him. I feel I may help him extra if I’m recent in it myself. From there, RAF wished me to return out to a few exhibits, and so they gave me some choices for folks to wrestle. I’m . I assist it. Whether or not I do it or not might come right down to getting my knees prepared.”
The timing is smart on paper. RAF has positioned itself as a freestyle platform for wrestlers, MMA names, and different crossover athletes, and Covington is already a part of that setup. The promotion describes itself as an unscripted professional wrestling league constructed round freestyle competitors.
Tyron Woodley Slams Colby Covington
If Woodley does signal on, one apparent storyline is Covington. The 2 already share UFC historical past: Covington stopped Woodley within the fifth spherical of their September 2020 predominant occasion, and Covington’s UFC report stands at 17-5 with sturdy takedown numbers throughout his run. He additionally has a university wrestling background, with Iowa’s athletics website itemizing him on the 2008-09 roster and noting a 6-2 collegiate mark that season.
Nonetheless, Woodley made clear that he doesn’t charge Covington extremely as a wrestling opponent based mostly on their previous room work. He stated he introduced Covington in as a coaching associate throughout one among his camps and claimed the classes have been one-sided, including that Covington left earlier than camp was over. In an unique interview with Tim Wheaton of LowKick MMA, with the assistance of TalkSPORT BET, Woodley defined:
“I used to torture Colby in wrestling. Lots of people don’t know that. I introduced Colby out as a coaching associate, and I used to play video games with him. He by no means gained a set. He by no means bought a takedown. He ran from me by way of the entire camp, give up early, and went residence. Lengthy story quick, Colby is trash in wrestling.”
Covington has lengthy leaned on his wrestling id in MMA and in RAF, the place he just lately competed and stays on the promotion’s roster. However Woodley, a two-time NCAA All-American at Missouri earlier than his MMA title run, is promoting a distinct reminiscence behind closed doorways.
