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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Matt Erickson and Abbey Subhan

Sean Woodson’s solid run continued – after a little confusion with Bruce Buffer

TORONTO – Sean Woodson beat Charles Jourdain with a split decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 297 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

Take a look inside the fight with Woodson, who is unbeaten in his past five fights at 4-0-1 – including two split decision wins and a split draw.

Charles Jourdain vs. Sean Woodson

Result: Sean Woodson def. Charles Jourdain via split decision (29-28, 28–29, 29-28)
Updated records: Woodson (11-1-1 MMA, 5-1-1 UFC), Jourdain (15-7-1 MMA, 6-6-1 UFC)
Key stats: Woodson outstruck Jourdain and stuffed all four of his takedown attempts.

Woodson on the fight's key moment

Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Charles Jourdain (red glove) fights Sean Woodson (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

“I could tell he really studied me and he broke down my feints and knew what to expect. I could tell he knew what I was planning to do off of certain small little feints. He knew what was coming, and that was kind of freezing me up. But I was freezing him up and it was kind of like a chess match in there.”

Woodson on confusion from Bruce Buffer

Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Charles Jourdain (red glove) fights Sean Woodson (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

“I knew they read a card for me. They read a card for him. But at the end, I guess it was the crowd. I don’t know, but I couldn’t hear who they finally said. It sounded like (Bruce Buffer) said ‘Charles’ – I wasn’t sure. I looked over and Charles and his team were celebrating. I knew it was a close fight, so I just assumed that they won and I thought I did enough to win. I accepted the loss and shook (Daniel Cormier’s) hand and went to turn away and he kind of held my hand like, ‘What are you doing? You won.'”

Woodson on what he wants next

Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Woodson (blue gloves) reacts after defeating Charles Jourdain (red glove) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

“I just really focused on what’s in front of me. That’d be cool (to be ranked), of course, but I’m just excited to have a guy of his caliber on my resume now.

“This is the year. I’ve been in the UFC going on five years now. I’ve fought like once a year or something like that. I know where I stack up against these dudes when I’m healthy and I’m on point. This is the year where I’m active. I want to fight again in May, maybe June, and then squeeze another one in, like, October, early November, right before the holidays, so I can get in at least three this year.”

To hear more from Woodson, check out the video above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 296.

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