Tyron Woodley Calls Out Fans, Challenges Them To Take An Amateur Fight
UFC president Dana White’s patented punch line “Don’t leave it in the hands of the judges,” has become one of the most famous lines used in mixed martial arts (MMA) especially after close decisions. After some questionable decisions took place just this past weekend at UFC Fight Night 59 in Boston, White used this line once again, urging fighters to get the finish so the judges do not play a role in who wins the bout.
However, it’s not just White and other UFC personnel who use the line, fans have also been using it to criticize fighters so to say for boring fights that result in decision rather than electrifying finishes. After this weekend, it looks like one fighter is fed up.
Welterweight contender Tyron Woodley took to his twitter to voice his thoughts on the topic, unhappy that fighters who happen to be on the wrong side of a decision have to take the wrath of the fans. He even sent out a challenge to fans, calling for them to take an amateur fight, go through a training camp, and see what it’s really like to be a fighter:
People! Quit saying don’t leave it in the judges hands! That’s the stupidest comment ever. You sound bites are delusional. No fight thinks
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) January 19, 2015
Hey I’m going to leave it in the judges hand. No fighter want to get finished. The higher you go in competition the closer the match up is!
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) January 19, 2015
Quit being a recorder and repeating everything you her Joe or Dana say. Be an individual and fan. Know you have no clue the mental capacity
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) January 19, 2015
It takes to compete on this level. The sacrifice, diet, training, sparring, luck, favor, being at the top during you peak, and being
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) January 19, 2015
Fortunate to not have substantial injuries during 3-4 Traning camps per year. Not to include family, finance, life struggles and
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) January 19, 2015
Uncontrollable variable. We @ufc fighters appreciate your passion, but you are passionate to a fault. Living through these sat fight nights
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) January 19, 2015
Taking stabs and shots at people you don’t know from a stranger on the street. Life is larger than the octagon. Sun after u are done talkin
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) January 19, 2015
About the fight. Monday you go back to work. We go back to work in the gym. To fulfill these ridiculous expectations you blood thirsty fans
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) January 19, 2015
Want to see. Risking out health, time with family and the leisure activity you get to enjoy on the weekend. I challenge all non fighters
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) January 19, 2015
To do a 8wk camp and take 1 amateur fight to appreciate what we do more deeply and become a more conditional fan. #SoapBoxOver #JustSaying
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) January 19, 2015
Woodley definitely has a point here, as being a professional fighter is one of the most mentally and physically grueling jobs there is. The finish isn’t always there, but these fans may also may be targeting not guys who don’t get a finish, but fighters who don’t look for one, and just coast to a decision win.
Either way, are any fans willing to take on Woodley’s challenge?
