(photo courtesy RapidSpin33 (Zach A.))
The Prelim Breakout Star is a once per event article that helps fans get to know those who will be entertaining them from the undercard. The intention of the article is not to bring attention the most talented guy on the preliminary card, but rather one that the common fan may have overlooked or underestimated.
After patrolling the prelims on Facebook for two straight weeks, UFC 155's Prelim Breakout Star comes to us via the FX portion of the card. Due to the recent surge of Strikeforce fighters coming into the UFC, many casual fans may not know several of the names on each fight card. While this will likely change as each fighter makes their impact, here is one that cannot and will not wait.
Tyron Woodley
Nickname – T-Wood
From – Ferguson, Missouri
Height – 5’9”
Weight – 170 lbs (Welterweight)
Record – (10-1) (0-0 UFC)
What makes him impressive
If you had to sum up Tyron Woodley in two words it would be simple – powerful wrestling. A three-time captain of the Missouri University wrestling team, Woodley went on to win a Big 12 championship and be named to the All-American team twice. To add to these stellar wrestling credentials, Woodley holds camp at American Top Team where he’s earned a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His training there has really taken his top game to a high level as he looks to finish with his fists and open hands.
Another aspect that is overlooked on Woodley is his experience. When assessing many UFC first-timers, it is hard to gauge whether they are as good as their record states or if they’ve simply not faced UFC caliber opponents. Woodley, on the other hand, has already defeated explosive UFC veteran Paul Daley, and final Strikeforce Welterweight Champion, Tarec Saffiedine. Not to mention, he gave Nate Marquardt a decent fight before being finished late.
Why he’s been overlooked
There are several reasons why some fans might not be familiar with Woodley’s body of work. Firstly, it is obvious that people fighting outside of the main event on Strikeforce garner much less attention. With the exception of Strikeforce Challengers, Woodley’s only high profile fight was his loss to Marquardt. Secondly, his style is not the type that makes you call up your friends at midnight. I’ve never heard one of my friends utter “Did you see how that monster worked away from half guard last night?” or “Did you catch that amazing double?”. However, you can’t deny the effectiveness of his methods.
What makes this a good matchup
It would appear to most that Jay Hieron has a well-rounded background. He’s finished people with a variety of submissions, knockouts and quality decisions. He even has a junior college wrestling background. The key point, however, is that junior college wrestling in not Big 12 wrestling. Not that I’m knocking junior college wrestlers. Jon Jones wrestled in junior college. I am making the point though, that Woodley has far better wrestling than Hieron. In addition, Hieron has not fared well when he couldn’t stop takedown attempts (see Jake Ellenberger fight).
Daniel Vreeland is a writer (PrelimPicker) and teacher with an avid love for martial arts. He has practiced jiu jitsu and submission grappling under and next to many top names including Royce Gracie, Rousimar Palhares, Murilo Bustamante and Marco Alvan. He has placed in multiple NAGA grappling tournaments and currently trains under black belt Dave Roy in Amherst, MA.
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