Kamaru Usman Says Tyron Woodley Needs to Get Busy Fighting, Drop Champ “Mentality”

Tyron Woodley has yet to fight, since Kamaru Usman ended his reign as the UFC’s welterweight champ last March, and the new champ thinks that’s a problem.

Usman says Woodley needs to drop champ “mentality”

Usman faced Woodley at UFC 245 last March, and took the welterweight crown from him via a unanimous decision win.

Heading into the bout, the consensus was that Usman would pose a serious threat to Woodley. But, not many people, if any, predicted it would be so one-sided in Usman’s favor like it was.

After the loss, Woodley campaigned for an immediate rematch, but Usman ended up facing and stopping Colby Covington. The UFC wanted Woodley to face surging contender Leon Edwards, and eventually, the former champ agreed to the bout.

The two were supposed to fight at UFC London last month, which was ultimately canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Since then, Woodley has been calling for a fight with Covington.

But, with May fast approaching, Woodley’s next fight has yet to be finalized. As a result, recently Usman had this to say about the former champ (quotes via MMA Fighting).

“This whole situation has kind of thrown a damper on things, but I feel like Tyron is holding himself back for god knows what,” Usman said. “Cause you’re not getting any younger.

You’re a talented guy. You’ve got a lot of skills. The only way for you to get back to the title is just to fight.

“Fight, guys. It doesn’t matter who you fight. Say yes to everybody. Go out there and fight, and I know he’s not saying yes to everybody.

“That’s the approach you have to have,” Usman said. “The difference is Tyron is still hanging onto that mentality of being a champion and being accustomed to a certain kind of treatment.

You’re not in that in that situation.

“You’ve got to approach it like Gilbert [Burns] is approaching it. You want to put someone in front of me, it’s an opportunity to make some money and knock somebody out.

That’s why Gilbert has ascended the way that he has.”

Does Usman have a point?

So is Usman onto something here? It’s an interesting question.

On one hand, when you consider Woodley is one of the greatest welterweights of this generation, you can understand why he may be hesitant to take bouts that might not buzz the masses.

Edwards is a rising force, and he’s likely well known in England, but there’s no question a fight between Woodley and Covington would be much bigger. 

That said, as Usman alluded to, Woodley is 38 years old now and so the clock is ticking on his career. Will Covington agree to fight him next? Even though he’s also been driving for a rematch with Usman? 

And will Covington wait out to see who wins between Usman and Jorge Masvidal? And if Woodley takes too long to fight again and win, who’s to say a title shot would be delivered at that point?