CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Sean Woodson is adamant that Kyle Bochniak will try and take their fight to the ground.
Speaking to MMA Junkie, Woodson (6-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) said that he doesn’t see Bochniak (8-4 MMA, 2-4 UFC), who’s known for his push-forward aggressive style, standing and trading with him in their UFC on ESPN 6 meeting Friday at TD Garden in Boston.
“I’ve seen in other interviews he said he’s going to stand and bang, and he’s even said that I’m thinking he’s probably going to wrestle me, but no, he’s going to stand and bang, but I don’t believe that for one second,” Woodson said. “I’m excited about this matchup because he’s an exciting fighter, and he normally comes and brawls it out with guys, but he won’t do that with me.”
“He might do it for the first minute-and-a-half of the fight or something like that, but his gameplan will change; he’ll come to wrestle, and I’ll be ready for that, though.”
Woodson delivered an incredible flying knee knockout at July’s Dana White’s Contender Series 21 event, scoring his ticket to the UFC. It didn’t come without adversity though, as he had to rally from behind after being controlled on the ground for the first round.
As soon as Woodson got an opening, he made his opponent pay, which is why he’s pretty confident that Bochniak will try and wrestle him throughout the fight.
“That’s been my main focus, just keeping this fight standing,” Woodson said. “Keeping it in my world and, because like I said, I know this guy is coming to wrestle, coming to grapple, no matter what he says, and yeah, that was our main focus.”
He will be stepping into enemy territory when he takes on Boston’s own Bochniak, but Woodson insists he isn’t fazed at all. He took his Contender Series fight in July on short notice and will be making a quick turnaround this Friday, as he looks to make the most of the opportunity.
“I love it, man – like I really couldn’t pick a better opportunity, a better situation than this,” Woodson said. “I’m glad they gave me a guy with a name right off the bat, and yeah, I’m glad that it’s in enemy territory, back against the wall, odds stacked against me – that’s my ideal situation. Those are the situations I feel like I thrive in.”
And being the much taller fighter, along with Bochniak’s pressure, Woodson says don’t be surprised if we see another incredible finish. He believes it’s the perfect style matchup for him.
“I think the way he comes forward and pushes the action, I think it’ll produce another highlight-reel knockout.”
“I’m really confident I can take him out in the second round,” Woodson added. “He comes forward and really pushes the pace, like I said, but I think that’s going to be his downfall in the fight.”
Sean Woodson doesn't believe that Kyle Bochniak will stand and trade with him at UFC Boston
