Tyron Woodley believes his rivalry with Jake Paul was career defining.
Paul had just shot to the limelight with a knockout win over former UFC welterweight and ONE Championship title holder Ben Askren. Meanwhile, Woodley had just retired from MMA on a four-fight slump.
No one had initially expected Paul to beat a veteran UFC fighter like Askren. When “The Problem Child” emerged victorious, people dismissed it as a victory over a wrestler. Fans wanted Paul to be tested against Woodley, who was also a wrestler but also known for having knockout power.