Tyron Woodley Warns He’s in a “Violent Headspace”, as Scrap With Gilbert Burns Nears

If some people have forgotten about Tyron Woodley, or written him off as one of the world’ best fighters, well, clearly he plans to change all that on May 30th.

Woodley reports he’s in a “violent headspace”

Woodley hasn’t fought now since March, 2019, when he dropped a one-sided, decision loss to Kamar Usman. Since then, the former welterweight champ has repeatedly insisted that it wasn’t the real him, who faced Usman that night.

Fast forward to today, and Woodley’s agreed to fight surging welterweight Gilbert Burns on May 30th. During his Hollywood Beatdown show on TMZ Sports, the powerful wrestler reported the following (quotes via MMA Fighting).

“It’s always short-term memory,” Woodley said. “People only remember you for your last outing and it’s been so long ago, it’s time to remind them. . .

I’m in a violent headspace. I don’t know another way to put it. I’m willing to do some very sh*tty stuff to people, put them in compromising positions, hurt them.

Literally, hurt them, not just go out there and try to get the win. I don’t know if I’ve ever been this focused during my stint in the UFC.

I don’t know if I’ve been this ornery. Today I was yelling and cursing at my sparring partners. That’s how I know I’m peaking at the right time. That’s how I know I’m ready to go.”

Now, sure, some will argue that lots of fighters say things like this when they’re coming off a pivotal loss.  But, Woodley does sound pretty, pretty motivated to remind the MMA world of his powers.

Recently Stephen Thompson relayed the same, and he also predicted that Woodley is going to take Burns out.

Five round fight for Burns

Burns has been tapped for the big stage opportunity, after winning three straight fights since he moved up from lightweight to welterweight. Most recently, Burns stopped perennial contender, Demian Maia.

While talking about the fight itself, and why Woodley likes the match-up, he said this.

“What I like about this matchup for me is that it’s a five-round fight. I don’t know if he’s ever fought a five-round fight, but it’s different. It’s different than trying to come out and explode.

He goes out there and he either explodes in the first two rounds and then starts to fade in the third or he explodes in first round, the second round is kinda crazy, and then he just lets it all hang out in the third round.

When you’re down 3-0 and I’m up three rounds and then you come out and get picked apart in the fourth, then you’re left to desperation.

You’re left to swing big and kick big and go for takedowns and I think if anybody in the UFC is gonna have an eyeball to see that sh*t from a mile away, get out the way, and sting you with some shots, it’s me.”

It’s going to be a really interesting fight to watch, no question. Not only because of the abilities of the men involved, but because of the stakes.

The May 30th card is expected to take place at the UFC’s Apex Facility in Las Vegas, behind closed doors.