Woodley and Usman (right) (photo via YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Tyron Woodley was decisively defeated by Kamaru Usman earlier this year, but the former UFC welterweight champ is still certain that he’s a bad match-up for the reigning champion.

Woodley faced Usman at UFC 235 in March, and the latter dominated much of the action with his pressuring and wrestling. Woodley lost the fight via unanimous decison.

The 37-year-old Woodley (19-4-1) attended a Q&A prior to UFC Vancouver. While discussing his loss to Usman, the former champ said this (quotes via MMA Junkie):

“Kamaru Usman, skill set wise on paper, I’m a nightmare for him every day of the week,” Woodley said.

“It was a silhouette of Tyron in the octagon (in the first fight). But something happened when I jumped up and stomped down. I think my spirit left my body. So I can give him credit for what he did. He stayed focused. He executed. But we all know that wasn’t Tyron Woodley.”

“I don’t have to go back and watch the film and say the chain wrestling (was a factor). I’m a Division-I All-American (wrestler). When you think about my striking, my resume, it’s not that he did something so great that I couldn’t keep up with. It’s just the fact that it’s one of those nights when you walk out there and everything feels perfect and you get close to your opponent, and your battery pack’s just snatched out of your bag.”

Usman is expected to fight Colby Covington next, but the bout has yet to be finalized. Woodley also has yet to fight since he was defeated by Usman.