Too Legit To Quit

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight champion Tyron Woodley hasn’t won a fight in over two years, thanks to an 0-3 skid against some of the top names in the division, including longtime rival Colby Covington.

Most people would quit after a tough stretch like that.

That’s according to coach Duke Roufus, who expects “The Chosen One” to get his mixed martial arts (MMA) career back on track in 2021. The first step on that journey begins with Woodley finding his motivation after dropping out of the Top 5.

“Tyron is working on getting his motivation back,” Roufus told MMA Fighting. “You can say what you want about him, but there’s no quit in the man. I respect that a lot. Most people would give up after the tough days these guys see, but there’s no quit in Tyron and he’s optimistic about 2021 and he’s looking to turn it around.”

Woodley (19-6-1), who turns 39 in just a few months, usually does a pretty good job of convincing the combat sports community — even this guy — that he’s got all his problems solved and expects to recapture his former glory, only to come up empty.

“I know it’s important to get into a longer training camp situation with Tyron because he’s a special guy,” Roufus continued. “Special people like him and Anthony (Pettis), they’re more like F-1 racing car engines. They take a very special mechanic to get that fine-tuned engine to perform at the level that they do. If we can get ‘em right, then it’s something special.”

Woodley does not yet have a fight booked for 2021.