Tyron Woodley is coming off two of his worst performances to date, and as a result, the former welterweight champ’s a sizeable underdog heading into his bout tonight with Colby Covington. But, Woodley’s former foe, Stephen Thompson has heard the 38-year-old is more than ready for his grudge match tonight.

Thompson is rooting for Woodley

It wasn’t that long ago really, when Woodley was making the case he was one of the greatest welterweights the UFC has seen. After taking out Robbie Lawler in 2016 to win the belt, Woodley retained the title four times.

In two of those fights, he retained the welterweight crown against Thompson.

But, last March, Woodley’s reign came to an end as he dropped a one-sided, decision loss to Kamaru Usman. Then this past May, Gilbert Burns also dominated Woodley and handed the former champ a decision defeat.

So, due to these performances, the abilities of Covington and yes, the fact Woodley is 38, he’s the betting lines underdog for tonight’s headliner.

But, while talking to MMA Fighting recently, Thompson had this to say about the powerful wrestler and tonight’s match-up.

“I am really excited,” Thompson said. “I’m ready to see my man Tyron Woodley go out there and finish this guy.

You got the guys that you love to like and then the guys you love to hate in the sport.

Colby Covington has made himself into the unlikable guy with the whole beef with the gyms, him and (Jorge) Masvidal were friends, now they don’t like each other.”

Thompson’s heard Woodley is looking good in training.

“From what I hear, Tyron is ready to rock,” Thompson said. “I think it was an eye-opener in his last fight and he was fired up.

He took that first shot and it went downhill from there. But I think he rekindled that flame a little bit.

And if you’re going to get motivated for a fight, it’s going to be with a guy like Colby Covington.”

“I’m rooting for my man Tyron Woodley,” Thompson stated. “He’s 38 years old. He’s a year older than me and that motivates me.

I’m still improving every day, and so is Tyron. But it’s going to be a fun fight. There’s going to be a lot of smack in that octagon, outside of the octagon, wherever. But I’m excited for it.”

We’ll find out soon enough

It’s going to be fascinating to see what happens. There was a time when many opined that Woodley would be a bad match-up for Covington, on account of his own wrestling pedigree and heavy hands.

But, Woodley has had no answers for the pressuring games of Burns and Usman in his last two fights. He was also extremely tentative (although, Woodley took a heavy shot from Burns early on as Thompson noted).

Tonight’s card will be hosted by the Apex Facility in Las Vegas.

 

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