- Tyron Woodley won the UFC welterweight title in 2016 and held it until 2019
- After leaving the UFC, Woodley met Jake Paul twice in the boxing ring in 2021
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
While Tyron Woodley praised Jake Paul for his fight against boxing legend Mike Tyson, he was equally skeptical about his choice of opponent.
It was announced on Thursday that Paul, 27, will fight 57-year-old Tyson on July 20 at AT&T Stadium. The event will be streamed on Netflix, which released a 19-second trailer featuring the headliners to parade the announcement.
Hours later, the former UFC welterweight champion shared his reaction and first impressions about the upcoming fight.
“I was like ‘well f**k, I guess it’s happening’,” Woodley told Mail Sport.
“He definitely has a few screws loose,” he said of Paul. “Like he’s smart as hell but stupid as f**k.”
Tyron Woodley praised Jake Paul for booking a fight against legendary boxer Mike Tyson
It was announced on Thursday that Paul will face Tyson in July at AT&T Stadium in Arlington
Paul has a record of 9-1 and is coming off three straight wins, two of which were knockouts
Woodley met Paul twice in the boxing ring in 2021. Despite back-to-back losses to the influencer-turned-boxer — the second time in a knockout — Woodley praised Paul’s marketing prowess.
In addition to booking a fight with one of the sport’s icons, Woodley also credited Paul for reaching a deal to stream it on Netflix.
“When he started boxing, he went from Triller to his own promotion (Most Valuable Promotions) and DAZN, and now Netflix,” Woodley said.
“When I fought him, it was an opportunity for me. I feel like people want him to lose without even knowing it. I may not be on his team, but I’m not a hater. He gets his blessing and this is big for martial arts. People will be watching
When asked who he thinks will come out on top, Woodley pointed to Tyson. However, because age could be a factor, he did this with some caution.
“My gut tells me Mike Tyson,” Woodley shared. “We’ve seen him score and we’ve seen him play against Roy Jones Jr. No one, even at 57, wants to fight him.
Woodley held the UFC welterweight title from 2016 to 2019 after dethroning Robbie Lawler
Paul and Woodley faced off twice in the boxing ring in 2021, with Paul winning both fights
Tyson had a professional record of 50-6 with 44 knockouts before retiring from boxing in 2005
‘But anyone can lose. Jake can’t go out there and mess around because this is going on his file.”
The Problem Child currently has a 9-1 boxing record and is coming off three straight wins, with the last two being finishes. Paul will enter the fight fresh after a first-round knockout against Ryan Bourland on March 2.
On the other hand, the much older Tyson had a professional record of 50-6 with 44 knockouts before retiring in 2005. Iron Mike returned to the ring in 2020 for an exhibition against Roy Jones Jr., in which Paul defeated former NBA star Nate Robinson. in the co-main event.
“I’m a spectator like anyone else,” Woodley added. “Let’s just enjoy it.”