UFC president Dana White has given his thoughts on the announcement that Tyron Woodley will face Jake Paul in a boxing match.
After much speculation surrounding who Paul’s next opponent would be inside a boxing ring, it was officially confirmed earlier this week that former UFC welterweight champion Woodley will be the man who steps up and tries to knock ‘The Problem Child’ off of his perch.
Dana White hesitantly backs Woodley
It’s going to be easier said than done regardless of how people may feel towards the YouTuber turned boxer, with many noting that Woodley has been on a four-fight skid leading up to this bout.
When asked about the matchmaking, White had the following to say in an interview with Mike Swick.
“Tyron Woodley has punching power and obviously he’s put a lot of dudes to sleep in his career. Tyron Woodley doesn’t look like the Tyron Woodley of the past that was putting everybody to sleep. He hasn’t won a fight in three years, he’s going to be 40 years old. But I will give it to [Paul]. At least he’s stepping in there with a guy who can punch,
“Listen, man. Woodley should knock him out. But again, the Tyron Woodley that you talk about that was the champ isn’t the same f*cking guy he was four years ago.”
Woodley’s last pro MMA win took place back at UFC 228 in September 2018 when he submitted top welterweight contender Darren Till to retain his belt.
White has often been instantly dismissive of the Paul brothers’ approach to combat sports, but his honest assessment of the fight goes to show that Jake’s team clearly know what they’re doing here.
In terms of the date, August 28 has been tentatively put down as the night Paul and Woodley will meet – although that could change based on Showtime’s other big fights around that time.
Featured image credit: Getty
