Woodley: Lawler, Namajunas get injury pass, but I don’t?
Tyron Woodley: “I’ve had ACL surgery, labrum surgery and every time I have a major surgery that can take six to eight months to recover, I am being pressed to fight in four or five months.”
UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley couldn’t commit to headlining UFC 233 vs. Colby Covington on January 26 due to a hand injury, which once again led to criticism from UFC president Dana White.
When is Woodley ready to fight anybody, ever? When? Tell me when! said White, as transcribed by Ryan Harkness for MMA Mania.
The correct answer was three months ago, but White was undeterred.
And it took us forever to get him to fight that fight! replied the UFC boss. Guy never wants to fight. Wants to be the world champion but doesn’t want to fight anybody. That’s a problem. That’s a problem. … We’re going to roll on. Woodley’s thumb is … something’s wrong with his thumb. I believe it. But you have to understand, I know guys like Conor McGregor and I know all the guys behind the scenes. You remember when Conor said ‘Who needs a thumb? You don’t even need a thumb to fight.’ And Conor fought with so many injuries, it’s ridiculous. Even times that Conor doesn’t say it publicly. So when you’re used to dealing with guys like that, you’ve got a guy with a thumb? And it’s not one thing. It’s always something with Woodley.
Woodley appeared recently on the Ariel Helwani MMA Show and responded.
If you really listen to what was said, Robbie Lawler wouldn’t mind more time because his knee needs more time to recover,” said Woodley, as transcribed by Adam Guillen Jr. for MMA Mania. “That sounds like an exception and a pass given to Robbie Lawler.”
Rose Namajunas is not ready to fight because of her hurt neck. That sounds like a pass is given to her. I don’t know if I am misquoting what was said, but If I am saying it correctly, Robbie Lawler tore his knee up in a fight against ‘RDA,’ how long has that been? So it’s been a year, and I’ve had ACL surgery, labrum surgery and every time I have a major surgery that can take six to eight months to recover, I am being pressed to fight in four or five months. Or to not get the surgery at all and just tough it out.