6:02 am | March 1, 2019 | Go to Source | Author:
Saturday’s UFC 235 pay-per-view will feature two title fights in Las Vegas, led by ESPN’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world: Jon Jones.
Jones will look to defend his light heavyweight title against Anthony Smith in the main event. In the co-feature, welterweight champ Tyron Woodley will take on Nigerian challenger Kamaru Usman.
Here’s everything you need to know about the co-main event.
Tyron Woodley (19-3-1) vs. Kamaru Usman (14-1), welterweight championship
Odds: Woodley -145; Usman +125
When Woodley first claimed the welterweight title nearly three years ago at UFC 201, he had no qualms about asking for the “money fight.”
He went big-name hunting in the media — names like Georges St-Pierre and Nick Diaz. And even though his desire to face an established name never stopped him from taking on the No. 1 contender (Stephen Thompson, Demian Maia, Darren Till), a section of the fan base grew tired of Woodley’s requests.
As Woodley heads into his sixth consecutive UFC title fight, he’s no longer talking about the “money fight.” He told ESPN recently he’s realized he needs to “become” the money fight on his own. His goal in 2019 is to be the undisputed Fighter of the Year.
“I can’t go out there and have close fights, let these chumps look like they’re on my level, and call myself Fighter of the Year,” Woodley said. “I have to go stomp Usman. I have to stomp [welterweight contender Colby Covington] and I gotta go up there and snag that middleweight belt. It will be undeniable I’m Fighter of the Year.”
Woodley, 36, believes he’s closing in on another title at this point of his career: the best welterweight of all time.
The measuring stick on that particular title is obviously St-Pierre, a former nine-time defending champion who announced his retirement earlier this month. Woodley is currently at three title defenses, but says the era in which he’s competing should be considered.
“I don’t have to do as many title fights as he did to prove that,” Woodley said. “I’m fighting the best fighters in the sport, at the best time of the sport. This is a time when guys are well rounded and everybody knows how to do everything. These guys are well conditioned, well trained, in great physical shape, mentally prepared to take on all angles in a fight.
“I’m beating the guys of that era, and I think this is the toughest division in the world.”
Fight breakdown
1:42
On Unlocking Victory, Gilbert Melendez displays what Kamaru Usman needs to do standing up to cause problems for Tyron Woodley at UFC 235.
Kamaru Usman has a title shot Saturday, in large part, because of what he was able to do Rafael Dos Anjos in November.
Usman is 9-0 in the UFC, but he really “broke through” in his most recent fight. He outlanded dos Anjos in total strikes, 130-62, and took him down a whopping 12 times. Dos Anjos was badly beaten up by the end, and UFC president Dana White started talking that night about Usman’s title shot.
It was the best performance of Usman’s career, which begs the question: Can he do it again?
A lot of what Usman did effectively in the dos Anjos fight will be very hard to replicate against Tyron Woodley. Usman dominated dos Anjos with a very physical approach. He smothered the former lightweight champ against the fence and utilized his size advantage. He maintained a high pace that eventually just sunk dos Anjos.
Well, it’s highly unlikely Usman scores 12 takedowns against Woodley. Woodley is every bit the wrestler Usman is (both enjoyed successful collegiate careers), and his fast-twitch counterstriking is so dangerous, opponents have to respect it. The best way to beat Woodley very well might be with pace, but it’s a frightening game plan to employ. You can’t afford any mistakes coming in on T-Wood.
Woodley has the advantages of a champion. He’s got a champion mindset. His confidence is at an all-time high. He’s also well acclimated to the stage and the championship rounds. Usman’s past two fights have each been five rounds, but I still give an advantage to Woodley when it comes to the knowledge there and the savviness to steal rounds and pace himself out.
This is an evenly matched 170-pound fight. Woodley owns more edges, but they are by slim margins.
Prediction: Woodley via decision.
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