Woodley and Usman (right) (photo via YouTube)

By FCF Staff

It’s been over a year now since Tyron Woodley last fought, and the man who beat him that fight, Kamaru Usman, says the former champ needs to stop wasting time.

Woodley faced Usman at UFC 235, and lost the welterweight title to him via a one-sided, decision loss. The former champ eventually agreed to fight Leon Edwards this past March in London. But due to the coronavirus pandemic, the bout was called off.

Since then, Woodley has been pushing for a fight with Colby Covington. But, the latter has been calling for a rematch with Usman (who stopped him in December).

Recently Usman spoke with MMA Fighting, and while discussing Woodley’s (19-4-1) future, he said this.

“This whole situation has kind of thrown a damper on things, but I feel like Tyron is holding himself back for god knows what,” Usman said about the 38-year-old fighter. “Cause you’re not getting any younger. You’re a talented guy. You’ve got a lot of skills. The only way for you to get back to the title is just to fight.

“Fight, guys. It doesn’t matter who you fight. Say yes to everybody. Go out there and fight, and I know he’s not saying yes to everybody.

“…That’s the approach you have to have,” Usman said. “The difference is Tyron is still hanging onto that mentality of being a champion and being accustomed to a certain kind of treatment. You’re not in that in that situation.

“You’ve got to approach it like Gilbert [Burns] is approaching it. You want to put someone in front of me, it’s an opportunity to make some money and knock somebody out. That’s why Gilbert has ascended the way that he has.”

Usman (16-1), meanwhile, is expected to fight Jorge Masvidal next. A date for the bout, however, has yet to be finalized.