TAMPA, Fla. – Sean Woodson has however one setback in his MMA profession, and it got here lengthy sufficient in the past that he’s seen some UFC careers begin and end within the time since he misplaced to Julian Erosa.
Since then, over 4.5 years, the 32-year-old featherweight has gone 6-0-1. However the latest victory, a knockout of Fernando Padilla with simply two seconds left within the first spherical at UFC on ESPN 63, may need been his most vital one but.
Woodson (13-1-1 MMA, 7-1-1 UFC) needed to survive some early adversity in opposition to Padilla (16-6 MMA, 2-2 UFC) at Amalie Area in Tampa, Fla., however rallied rapidly for his first end since 2021.
“He was on me early and he cracked me onerous a couple of instances, however I simply knew I needed to climate the storm and I’d discover my vary and begin touchdown on him,” Woodson stated at his post-fight information convention. “… I felt disrespected (earlier than the battle) and I used to be mad all through this entire camp and I simply was bottling it up, bottling it up – and I simply knew come battle evening, I used to be going to make use of it and use it properly. That dude was going to must put my lights out or going to maintain coming.”
Woodson hasn’t misplaced since a D’Arce choke tapout to Julian Erosa in June 2020. Heading into the battle with Padilla, he was working off of three straight choice wins on the heels of a cut up draw halfway by 2020.
As a result of Padilla is a minimum of near Woodson in top, he anticipated a distinct type of battle to play out.
“It was completely different for positive, as a result of I’m 6-foot-2 and all people I battle at featherweight goes to be shorter than me,” Woodson stated. “I believe he’s most likely the one man left at featherweight that can be 6-foot. However I spar tall guys on a regular basis. We’ve acquired a bunch of tall guys on my crew. I’ve been boxing all my life. I felt like combating one other tall man like myself was actually going to throw me off or throw me for a loop – nothing. I used to be greater than ready for it.
“… one hundred pc yeah, (I really feel disrespected). I’m massive on self accountability – my fault. I’m not the largest talker. That was my first end in like three years. Profitable is nice, however if you’re profitable selections, you’re not going to get that respect. You’re not going to get the notoriety. I really feel like I haven’t acquired the respect I deserve, however I really feel like they know me now and so they’ll respect me now.”
Although a seven-fight unbeaten streak at featherweight appears to warrant a minimum of a dialogue a couple of title shot, Woodson thinks the names he’s overwhelmed don’t have him within the dialog but.
Nonetheless, he stated he’s now keen to begin taking steps he hasn’t been eager to leap at previous to this. And he thinks
“I’ll go anyplace on the planet,” Woodson stated. “At first I used to be massive on ‘I don’t wish to fly abroad.’ (Now) I’ll go anyplace. I’ll battle anyone ranked above me. Dana (White is) massive ‘on earn what you kill.’ I’ve heard him say that. I really feel like I’ve set myself up for a giant battle and I’ve earned it and I deserve it.”
However does he deserve the champ, Ilia Topuria? Possibly not but, Woodson surmises, however maybe quickly. And he likes the matchup – rather a lot.
“He’s tremendous good – what he’s accomplished to date is,” Woodson stated. “However I’m not going to carry my tongue in any respect. I don’t really feel like he’d have the ability to do me the best way he’s accomplished different folks in any respect. He’s too small, too quick. I’m a nasty matchup for him. I noticed on-line any person say he will get as much as like 187 (kilos), 190 (outdoors of camp). I don’t consider that in any respect. I don’t even get that massive. He carries himself like he’s higher than he’s.
“I’ll say that I’d like to battle him. I do know I’m an extended methods off from that, however I would like that battle unhealthy. I’d like to battle him at some point. I do know it sounds loopy. I haven’t had the most effective (resume). I ain’t fought (massive names), no matter. However I’m telling you proper now, they don’t do me like he’s accomplished all people.”
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