Former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley has made it clear that he would consider a return to the octagon for one reason – to face off against Israel Adesanya, the ex-middleweight champion. Woodley’s candid revelation came during a recent discussion about his combat sports career on the Jaxxon video podcast, hosted by former UFC light heavyweight champion Rampage Jackson.
In response to Rampage Jackson’s question about potential opponents for a comeback, Woodley didn’t hesitate in naming Adesanya as the sole individual he would like to “beat the f*** out of.” When pressed on the reasons behind his animosity toward Adesanya, Woodley referenced their contentious history.
Woodley’s disdain for Adesanya traces back to comments he made early in Adesanya’s career when he expressed respect and admiration for the rising star. However, Adesanya did not take kindly to Woodley’s assessment and engaged in a war of words through various interviews. Woodley’s reign as welterweight champion eventually came to an end at the hands of Kamaru Usman, and he later ventured into the world of boxing, facing Jake Paul in two highly publicized matches, which he lost, the latter in a devastating knockout.
While Woodley has hinted at a potential return to boxing and engaged in verbal exchanges with influencer-turned-boxer KSI, he has not yet confirmed any upcoming fights. On the other hand, Adesanya might find himself in contention for a rematch with Sean Strickland for the UFC middleweight title. Although the odds of a Woodley vs. Adesanya showdown seem slim, Woodley remains eager for the opportunity to settle their differences inside the octagon.
