Tyron Woodley

=Tyron Woodley= Tyron Woodley (born April 17, 1982) is a professional MMA fighter from the United States. He is a former UFC Welterweight Champion who successfully defended his crown four times. Woodley has been a professional wrestler since 2009, having previously fought in Strikeforce and as an NCAA Division I undergraduate wrestler for the Missouri Tigers, where he was a two-time All-American and Big 12 Conference champion.

Early life
Woodley was born in Ferguson, Missouri, and reared there. He was the eleventh of thirteen children raised by his mother after his father abandoned the family when he was young. He was a two-sport athlete in high school, playing in American football and amateur wrestling. In 2000, Woodley won the Missouri 4A Men's State Championship at 160 pounds.

Woodley entered the University of Missouri's wrestling team after graduating from McCluer High School in 2000. He was a two-time All-American at the school, first in 2003 and then again in 2005. Woodley earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics in 2005.

Mixed martial arts career
Woodley fought his first professional fight on February 7, 2009, against Steve Schnider. It was held by Headhunter Productions at the Holiday Inn Select Executive Center in Columbia, Missouri. Woodley won via submission in the first round.

Woodley's second professional bout was against Jeff Carstens on April 30, 2009. He won the bout via submission in the first round.

Strikeforce
Woodley made his Strikeforce debut against Sal Woods in St. Louis, Missouri. The fight was at the event Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields on June 6, 2009. Woodley won the fight by submission late in round one. After the win, Strikeforce signed Woodley to a six-fight deal.

Woodley made his second appearance for Strikeforce on the Strikeforce Challengers: Kennedy vs. Cummings card. He defeated Zach Light via submission in the second round.

On the Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Bears card, Woodley had his third fight for Strikeforce, defeating Rudy Bears via arm-triangle submission.

Woodley's next bout was against Nathan Coy at Strikeforce Challengers: Lindland vs. Casey in Portland, Oregon. He won via split decision.

On October 9, 2010, at Strikeforce: San Jose, Woodley defeated André Galvão via knockout midway in the first round.

Woodley fought Tarec Saffiedine on January 7, 2011, in Nashville, Tennessee at Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Saffiedine. Woodley won the fight via unanimous decision. After the win, Woodley was signed to a contract extension with Strikeforce.

At Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson, Woodley replaced Evangelista Santos and fought Paul Daley. Woodley defeated Daley via unanimous decision.

Woodley then fought Canadian prospect Jordan Mein at Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine. Woodley won via split decision.

Woodley faced Nate Marquardt on July 14, 2012, at Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy for the vacant Strikeforce Welterweight Championship. He lost the fight via KO in the fourth round.

Paul vs. Woodley
Main article: Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley

Before the Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren main event took place, Woodley was involved in a backstage situation with Jake Paul and J'Leon Love, where he was mocked due to his inexperience in boxing and the result of Paul's bout against Woodley's long–time teammate Ben Askren was discussed. After Paul knocked out Askren, Woodley called out Paul. On May 31, 2021, news surfaced that Woodley had been scheduled to make his professional boxing debut against internet personality Jake Paul on August 29, 2021. Woodley became the first man to take Paul past the second round in his professional career, but ultimately lost by split decision. One judge scored the fight 77–75 for Woodley, while the other two judges scored it 77–75 and 78–74 in favor of Paul.

Paul vs. Woodley II
Main article: Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley II

On December 6, 2021, Woodley hopped in to replace Tommy Fury for a rematch with Jake Paul on December 18. After a back-and-forth bout, Woodley was knocked out in the sixth round. At the time of the stoppage, Woodley was behind on the scorecards 49–46 (twice) and 48–47.

Personal life
Tyron is the father of four children. He has stated that one day he hopes to create a non-profit institution for problematic children. Woodley strongly opposed the violence and looting that occurred in his hometown of Ferguson, Missouri, following the shooting of Michael Brown.