Tyron Woodley
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Name | Tyron Woodley |
| Nickname | T-Wood | |
| Association | American Top Team | |
| Weight Class | Welterweight (170 lbs.) | |
| Height | 5' 9" (176 cm) | |
| Reach | 73.0 in (185 cm) | |
| Style | Wrestling | |
| Birth Date | April 7, 1982 | |
| Fighting Out Of | Columbia, Missouri | |
| Country | USA | |
| Tyron Woodley Pictures | Tyron Woodley In Depth Analysis |
Tyron Woodley was an American amateur wrestler for the University of Missouri and is now a professional mixed martial artist who competes as a Welterweight. He is currently signed with Strikeforce.
Contents |
Professional Record
| Record | 10 - 0 - 0 (Win – Loss – Draw) |
| Wins | 1 (T)KOs 5 Submissions 4 Decisions |
| Losses | 0 (T)KOs 0 Submissions 0 Decisions |
| Result | Opponent | Method | Event Title | Date | Round | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | Jordan Mein | Decision (Split) | Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine | 1/7/2012 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Paul Daley | Decision (Unanimous) | Strikeforce and M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Henderson | 7/30/2011 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Tarec Saffiedine | Decision (Unanimous) | Strikeforce Challengers 13: Woodley vs. Saffiedine | 1/07/2011 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Andre Galvao | KO (Punches) | Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Noons II | 10/09/2010 | 1 | 1:48 | |
| Win | Nathan Coy | Decision (Split) | Strikeforce Challengers 8: Lindland vs. Casey | 5/22/2010 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Rudy Bears | Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) | Strikeforce Challengers 5: Woodley vs. Bears | 11/20/2009 | 1 | 2:52 | |
| Win | Zach Light | Submission (Armbar) | Strikeforce Challengers 3: Cummings vs. Kennedy | 9/25/2009 | 2 | 3:38 | |
| Win | Sal Woods | Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) | Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields | 6/06/2009 | 1 | 4:20 | Strikeforce debut |
| Win | Jeff Carstens | Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | RIE 2: Brotherly Love Brawl | 4/30/2009 | 1 | 0:48 | |
| Win | Steve Schneider | Submission (Punches) | Headhunter Productions: The Patriot Act | 2/07/2009 | 1 | 1:09 | |
Biography
Woodley was born, raised, and currently resides in St. Louis, Missouri. Fallen in at number 11 of a family of 13, his fight started long before the cage. Living in a family that large, resources were limited. At an early age, Woodley learned the value of team work, family support, love, and sacrifice. Those were the only things he had to keep him and his family going. With his father absent, his mother took on the responsibilities all by herself.
Growing up in the tough streets of St. Louis, he learned much about respect, honor, and loyalty. Unfortunately, his road to victory started off on the wrong street. Woodley affiliated with the wrong group. Surrounded by gang bangers and drug dealers, Woodley was leading a life that would only end in destruction! After seeing his grades suffer and being suspended multiple times, he asked himself, “How am I going to get to college at this rate?” In the 8th grade he got in a fight and was suspended for 90 days. He missed the entire first semester of High School.
Wrestling was his only refuge, and it was taken from him. Woodley felt like there was nothing left. Woodley was angry at the world. When classes started they want to put him on a team for kids with behavior disorders, but his mom wasn’t having it. So they put him on a team that was known for their academic excellence, hoping that he would fail. Also as part of him to be able to come back to school, he was mandated to join the ARMY ROTC program.
Woodley was on the honor roll every term, he ended up getting All-Conference honors in Football, graduating one of Missouri’s Top Cadets in ROTC (breaking several records), and being a two time state finalist in wrestling finishing 48-0 on his way to a state title.
Woodley was recruited heavily by the University of Nebraska, Northern Iowa, and University of Missouri. After going on his recruiting visit to Nebraska, he verbally committed. Woodley told the other two schools that he was not interested in taking my visits.
When Nebraska’s head coach was forced to resign, Woodley questioned his want to go to Nebraska. So he was again, in another predicament. Woodley's mother had a dream that he should go to Mizzou and make the difference. Woodley's didn't want to go to Mizzou because of it's low rank level. He then signed with Mizzou, and took a chance on helping build a team. After signing, he was able to compete without pressure. Woodley placed 7th in High School Nationals and 3rd in Junior Nationals.
There he was the first Big XII Champion in school’s history, and became a two time All-American. Woodley was a part of a program that was built from bottom to top. When he graduated, he was the first one from his family to get a college degree, he landed an assistant coaching job in college athletics.
Mixed Martial Arts Career
Woodley got his start when he went down to a local gym and told the owner that he wanted to fight in his show in a month. He trained Woodley a little, and put him on the card within three weeks. The fight lasted 20 seconds with Woodley victorious. Woodley has collected a perfect 7-0 record in amateur bouts. He has yet to have a fight go to decision, he has finished all of his fights by KO or submission.
Woodley fought his first professional fight on February 7th, 2009, it was held by Headhunter Productions at the Holiday Inn Select Executive Center in Columbia, Missouri. His opponent was Steve Schnider. The fight streamed live on Purefight.org. Woodley won his second fight by submitting Jeff Carstens.
Strikeforce
Woodley made his Strikeforce debut in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. The fight took place at Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields on June 6, 2009. Woodley won his third straight win via submission at 4:20 of the first round. After the win, Strikeforce signed Woodley to an exclusive deal where they planned on using him on the Showtime, ShoMMA cards.
In his next Strikeforce bout, Woodley faced Zach Light at Strikeforce Challengers 3: Cummings vs. Kennedy, defeating Light with a slick armbar in the second round.
Woodley was then scheduled to return to Strikeforce November 20, 2009 for the fifth installment of Strikeforce Challenger Series, also known as Strikeforce Challengers 5: Woodley vs. Bears. He faced fellow up-and-comer Rudy Bears, who had recently defeated veteran Brendan Seguin at a M-1 Global event. Woodley displayed his trademark blend of explosive wrestling and jiu-jitsu prowess to earn his sixth-straight submission win, submitting Bears with an Arm Triangle Choke at 2:52 of the first round.
His next outing with Strikeforce took place at Strikeforce Challengers 8: Lindland vs. Casey on May 21, 2010, where he faced off against the current SportFight Welterweight Champion Nathan Coy. Woodley started out in typical fashion, working the fight to the ground and setting up on top. But Coy showed great character and capability by working back to his feet and showing a potent striking game. The second round showcased a bit more of Woodley's striking, though Coy stood firm in the fire and answered in kind. However, when Coy slipped on a high kick, Woodley capitalized by moving to the back and locking in an Armbar in the final seconds, though the bell sounded before he could finish the hold. With the first two rounds tight, there was little room for error in the third. Woodley remained in a defensive posture with his back to the cage as Coy pushed the pace, picking his opponent apart with low kicks and crisp punches. Woodley earned a takedown, but the favor was quickly returned, and Coy took the third clearly by riding out the position until the final bell. Despite Coy somehow earning all three rounds of the fight on one card, the remaining two judges saw the fight 29-28 for Woodley, who took the Decision (Split).
Woodley returned for Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Noons 2, where he faced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist Andre Galvao. Once Woodley established a successful sprawl to avoid takedowns, Galvao clearly was in trouble and open to straight punches. Woodley capitalized on the openings and battered his opponent primarily with right hands. One that connected during a takedown attempt proved especially effective, and with Woodley patient and wisely avoiding the mat, Galvao staggered as he returned to his feet. The stoppage came moments later when Woodley stuffed a final takedown attempt and battered Galvao with short uppercuts to the face. The referee halted the bout and awarded the knockout stoppage after just 88 seconds of fight time.
The Ultimate Fighter
Woodley tried out for the The Ultimate Fighter 9, but was one of the final cuts before the show began.
Personal Life
He is engaged and has a son, Tyron Jr. (TJ). Woodley also volunteers as an assistant wrestling coach for the SIUE Cougars.
He has expressed interest in someday opening up a non-profit facility to expose troubled children to sports and teach them life skills.
Championships and Awards
Wrestling
- All American (2003, 2005)
- Big 12 Champion (2003)
- Mizzou Team Captain (2003–05)
- Ranked 7th in 160 lbs. division (2005)
- 110 Career NCAA Wins
