Tyron Woodley thinks he’d be Jake Paul’s perfect debut opponent in MMA.
YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul has teased a move to MMA after partnering up with PFL. Having boxed Paul twice in the ring, Woodley says it only makes sense for them to fight in the cage.
“I think if you’re going to fight anybody in MMA, you fight me in MMA,” Woodley told TMZ. “I’m the one that did the numbers with you. I’m the one that had the crazy millions and millions of views in the press conference. I’m the one that was a five-time champion. I’m the one that took the fight on two weeks’ notice.”
Woodley lost twice to Paul in 2021 – once by split decision, then four months later by knockout on short notice. The former UFC welterweight champion thinks his resume in MMA makes him the most attractive option for Paul.
“People would not have been buying Christmas gifts had I not stepped up to the plate,” Woodley said. “So to talk about fighting anybody in MMA outside of me is disrespect.
“If you really, really want to prove that you can do it in my world, you fight the No. 1 guy in that world. Nate (Diaz) has never touched gold, never been close to gold ever. I think (Derek) Brunson started barking and some other people.”
Paul is coming off a first-round knockout of Andre August this past Friday in Orlando, Fla. Meanwhile, Woodley hasn’t competed since losing to Paul a second time in December 2021.
