Ex-UFC champion Tyron Woodley had a tough start to his night but he came storming back with a stunning performance to beat Joaquin Buckley at RAF 12 on Saturday.
A two-time All-American at the University of Missouri, Woodley obviously had the experience and skill advantage but Buckley had size on his side after he missed weight by seven pounds and looked dramatically bigger than his opponent. Despite not coming from a wrestling background, Buckley shocked Woodley with a pair of throws early in the opening period to go up 8-0 and it appeared he might be poised for an upset victory.
But Woodley regrouped heading into the second period as he started chipping away at Buckley’s lead with a series of pushouts. Then Woodley pulled off a huge takedown of his own along with a gut wrench and turn to even the odds and put the pressure on Buckley to survive.
With time running short, Buckley tried one last desperation move to score again but Woodley reversed him as scored another four points with a well-timed takedown.
As the third period came to an end, Woodley was up 14-8 to close the match after he was down eight points just a few minutes earlier. It was an incredible comeback and something Woodley admitted he needed after he struggled in those same situations throughout his MMA career.
“I knew better [than to underestimate Buckley],” Woodley said after the match. “It’s bragging rights. When I got down, I didn’t lose my composure.”
Win, lose or draw, Woodley already had his next match in RAF set as he prepares to go to Russia for a main event showdown against a fellow former UFC champion in Khamzat Chimaev. But now Woodley gets to carry the momentum from his victory on Saturday as he looks to beat Chimaev in his home country when they clash on Sept. 5.
