Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Tyron Woodley Says He Never Retired and Teases MMA Return During RAF Wrestling Run

The comments signal a late-career push to combine wrestling, boxing and a possible cage fight to extend his competitive and financial options.

Overview

  • Woodley told MMA Junkie Radio on Friday that he never formally retired from mixed martial arts and said fans may see him fight MMA again this year.
  • He is booked to wrestle Joaquin Buckley at RAF 12 in Cleveland and to face Khamzat Chimaev at RAF Moscow on Sept. 5 in scheduled Real American Freestyle events.
  • Woodley said he plans to mix disciplines, suggesting he may wrestle twice, box and take an MMA bout before year’s end while ruling out bare-knuckle fights.
  • The 44-year-old former UFC welterweight champion has not fought in MMA since his March 2021 loss to Vicente Luque and has fought three pro boxing bouts since then.
  • A comeback would underscore RAF’s role as a crossover platform and could shape late-career choices for ex-UFC fighters by offering headline matchups and new pay opportunities.