Tyron Woodley's taken on the best of the best in his MMA career. The former UFC welterweight champion has fought Robbie Lawler, Stephen Thompson, former 170-pound interim titlist Colby Covington and current titleholder Kamaru Usman.
Woodley enters the next phase of his combat sports career on Saturday, Aug. 28, as he transitions to the boxing ring to square off with social media influencer-turned-pugilist Jake Paul. The 39-year-old comes into his pro boxing debut after losing his last four fights inside the Octagon. Despite the skid, Woodley is as motivated as ever to right the wrongs and vows to start with Paul.
"When I say this is gonna be the easiest fight and the biggest payday of my career, that's the truth but not because he's an easy fight, because I'm gonna train my ass off and make it an easy fight," Woodley told TMZ Sports.
"It's a difference. The difference between being prepared and cocky is I'm gonna make it an easy fight because I'm going to kill myself in the training room. I'm gonna train my ass off. I'm gonna be ready to roll. I'm excited about this. To be honest, I haven't been excited about a fight in a very long time, and I'm excited about this fight."
The Paul-Woodley bout came about after both guys verbally sparred back-and-forth since the former knocked out the latter's good friend and training partner Ben Askren in April. Unlike Askren, Woodley doesn't plan to be a one-and-done regardless of the result.
"I think I box some more," Woodley said. "I mean, s—, I want to fight twice this year, so I'll fight him August 28, and around November, I'll be ready to box again. I don't know exactly who, when, where, what, how, but I know that me going out and really doing work is going to put me in a position to open up other windows."