UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley took part recently in a media conference call ahead of his fight at UFC 205 with Stephen Thompson. ‘Wonderboy’ is a sport-karate based fighter, so Woodley sought out athletes with a similar background to spar with. After Thompson, the best known of those in the UFC is ‘Super’ Sage Northcutt.
Northcutt, with his tank tops, abs, frosted hair, and ever sunny attitude appears to be very nearly a parody of a vacuous generation, the sort who wonders in reflective moments about the potential effect of Global Warming on his tan. ‘Super’ Sage landed a direct Reebok contract and made the same money for his fourth UFC fight that Joe Lauzon made for his 25th. There was a general feeling that Northcutt did not deserve to be where he was.
However, after spending time with the 20-year-old, Woodley said his perspective shifted.
We all have had our comments about Sage as a fighter, said Woodley, as transcribed by MMAjunkie. I think some of the fighters saw his entrance into the UFC and some of the endorsements and some of the things that came with him being so young. We all had something to say, me included. Even training with him I had to bite a couple of my words because he’s way more well-rounded than what I expected.
He’s strong, he’s powerful, he’s fast – he’s a great resource to train with. I had to bite my own words. I would say as long as he stays focused and stays true to who he is – because it sounds like everybody wants him to be somebody else – as long as he can do that, I think he has a long way in this sport. People want to compare him to people that are my age. He calls me ‘Mr. Woodley,’ and it feels so weird. I’m like, ‘Man, this kid is [20] years old.’
Thompson, who was also on the call, conceded that Sage was a wise choice for a sparring partner.
If you go back and you watch Sage, we do have a similar style, said Thompson. He does come from a karate background, he does some of the flashy stuff that I like to do as well. I’m just prepared knowing that Tyron probably has seen some of the stuff that I throw, that I’m going to be throwing. I know Sage, he’s a karate guy and he’s going to go out there and try to do the best Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson he can. That’s OK. I’m ready for it no matter what.
The betting agrees with Thompson – the champ is the underdog. Woodley was unphased.
You don’t fight fights on paper, said Woodley. I’ve been the underdog my last six fights I think. I’ve won five of the last six, so I don’t really focus on it. I just go out there and do my deal.
Tyron Woodley fights Stephen Thompson at UFC 205 on November 12, 2016, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.
