Tyron Woodley Shoots Down Calls For Him To Retire

Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Former UFC welterweight champion, Tyron 'The Chosen One' Woodley has dismissed recent calls for him to consider hanging up his gloves - following a third consecutive defeat in eighteen months.

The Missouri native headlined UFC Fight Night Vegas 11 at the UFC Apex last weekend, dropping a fifth-round knockout loss to arch-rival and former American Top Team teammate, Colby 'Chaos' Covington, after suffering a broken rib. The defeat followed a recent unanimous decision loss to number-one ranked 170-pound contender, Gilbert 'Durinho' Burns - after dropping his title to Kamaru 'The Nigerian Nightmare' Usman at UFC 235 in March of last year.

Speaking with press following last weekend's event - UFC president, Dana White explained how he believes it's time for Roufusport trainee, Woodley to call time on his career.

"I think he (Tyron Woodley) should start thinking about hanging it up," White said. "He's had a great career, he's had a great run, you know, he's made money."

Speaking on an Instagram live session recently, Woodley explained how he isn't considering his future yet, remaining firm that he also won't switch camps amid his recent trio of losses.

"I'm not retiring," Woodley said. "I'm not giving it up. I'm not switching my coaches up. I'm not changing the continent I live on. I'm not doing all that. Some sh*t didn't happen and guess what? I don't know why it didn't happen. I did everything to make it happen. Now we just take a deep breath and see what's next."

Criticised once more for his lack of offensive action in his main event matchup with former interim champion, Covington - Woodley was once more pushed back to the fence, dominated in clinch exchanges, and suffered numerous takedowns - as is common viewing as of recent times for the 38-year-old.

Woodley initially claimed the undisputed welterweight crown back at UFC 201 in 2016 - scoring a first-round knockout win over 'Ruthless' Robbie Lawler, before scoring successful title defences opposite Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson (x2), Demian Maia, and Darren Till.