It was a different version of Tyron
Woodley at UFC 260, but unfortunately for the ex-welterweight
champion, the end result was the same as his recent Octagon
appearances.
Woodley suffered his fourth consecutive defeat in Saturday’s
co-main event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, as he tapped to a brabo
choke from Vicente
Luque 3:56 into Round 1 of their 170-pound encounter. While his
previous three losses were characterized by a lack of aggression,
Woodley brought the fight to Luque at the outset and rocked his
adversary with a couple of his patented overhand rights in the
early going.
Ultimately it wasn’t enough, because Luque, one of the most
prolific finishers in the division, made Woodley pay for his
aggression.
S–t was going really well until it wasn’t,” Woodley wrote on
Instagram. “My camp pushed me in ways I haven’t been pushed in a
while. I committed, and swore to myself I would bring the tiger out
that earned me gold. I saw the opportunity for the KO and got too
excited. [Paid] a big cost. I don’t regret my aggression as that’s
what God created me to do. [Vicente
Luque] is a tough and humble fighter. Was an honor to share the
cage with you tonight.”
The soon to be 39-year-old Missouri native faces an uncertain
future. At the post-fight press conference, UFC president Dana
White all but confirmed that Woodley’s time was done with the Las
Vegas-based promotion despite sharing “Fight of the Night” honors
with Luque for their efforts on Saturday.
“They came to fight. Obviously Luque is a rising star, and Woodley,
who takes a lot of criticism, that kid came to fight tonight. He
went out on his shield tonight, man. He came in to fight,” White
said.
“How is is Tyron now, 39? That’s four in a row … yeah [he’s
probably done].”