Editor’s Note: This article was originally published at MMAJunkie.com.
Tyron Woodley Not Jake PaulInitial opponent selection for December 18, but the former UFC champion is prepared to take on him anyway.
With Tommy Fury absent due to health issues and injuries, Woodley will have a rematch with Paul when he steps in two weeks notice to face the YouTube star in an eight-round boxing match at Amelie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
Paul (4-0, 3 KOs) beat Woodley (0-1) by a separate decision August is over, but it didn’t come without a bit of adversity. Woodley was able to knock Paul out in round 4, but in general, Woodley hesitated while Paul was more active.
Woodley has been campaigning for a rematch since the bout ended and insists he will eventually get his wish, which is why he’s been training hard over the past few months.
“I want to let you know that I am very excited about this fight,” Woodley said Instagram (h/t Crazy MMA). “I also want to let you know that something said to me in late September, early October, I said to my boxing coach, ‘My mental state is not good. The fight that was supposed to happen was me and Jake. This Tommy Fury fight doesn’t even make sense. Like, who’s giving… about that fight? Nobody does.’ This war is unfinished business. I feel like I won the war.
“Of course, do I want to knock this mother– r out? Yes, I want to knock him out. But the cookie crumbled the way it did, and I felt like it was a movie from the start. I told my coach that, and I didn’t just say it to him, but I said, ‘Look what I’m telling you.’ I told my strength and conditioning coach, and I said to my boxing coach, ‘This fight is not going to happen. Let’s train as if we were fighting for this war. ‘ I brought him in from Miami – my strength and conditioning coach was in St. Louis – and I literally started working out. ”
Paul announced that Woodley would earn another $500,000 if he can end the fight, and “The Chosen One” vows to pass.
Woodley said: “One thing I know for sure, my spirit has never been wrong. “My intuition, my alignment – so when I get the call, it’s funny because sometimes people call you and they think you’re not okay. They think you’re fat, and they think you’re fat, and they think you’re not ready. I’m ready, and I’m grateful. “
He continued, “I’m getting in shape. I’m ready to get started. I hit 12 rounds the day before. I fought seven rounds last night at the same time I was going to fight, midnight, 1am. I’m excited, I’m grateful and I’m so lucky. I’m lucky for the opportunity, and I promise you I didn’t even hesitate.
“That mother — r can say a lot of things–. If you ask people, when they ask me, immediately, ‘yes’ is the first thing that comes out of my mouth. What do you mean? … No doubt, no controversy, no bulls—, no scourge. He’s going to bed, I promise you that. ”
