Tyron Woodley

Tyron Lakent Woodley (born April 7, 1982) is an American former mixed martial artist.

He is a former UFC Welterweight Champion who defended his title four times.

Woodley won the Missouri 4A State Wrestling Championship in 2000, at the 160 lb weight class.

After graduating from McCluer High School in 2000, Woodley attended University of Missouri and joined their wrestling program.

There, he became a two-time All-American; once in 2003 and again in 2005.

Woodley graduated from the university in 2005 with a major in Agricultural Economics.

A professional since 2009, Woodley also competed at Strikeforce and was an NCAA Division I collegiate wrestler for the Missouri Tigers, becoming a two-time All-American and Big 12 Conference champion.

Woodley was born and raised in Ferguson, Missouri.

The eleventh of thirteen children, he was raised by his mother after his father left the family early in his life.

In high school, he was a two-sport athlete, competing in American football and amateur wrestling.

Woodley fought his first professional fight on February 7, 2009 against Steve Schnider.

It was held by Headhunter Productions at the Holiday Inn Select Executive Center in Columbia, Missouri.

Woodley won via submission in the first round.

Woodley's second professional bout was against Jeff Carstens on April 30, 2009.

He won the bout via submission in the first round.

Woodley made his Strikeforce debut against Sal Woods in St. Louis, Missouri.

The fight was at the event Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields on June 6, 2009.

Woodley won the fight by submission late in round one.

After the win, Strikeforce signed Woodley to a six-fight deal.

Woodley made his second appearance for Strikeforce on the Strikeforce Challengers: Kennedy vs. Cummings card.

He defeated Zach Light via submission in the second round.

On the Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Bears card, Woodley had his third fight for Strikeforce, defeating Rudy Bears via arm-triangle submission.

Woodley's next bout was against Nathan Coy at Strikeforce Challengers: Lindland vs. Casey in Portland, Oregon.

He won via split decision.

On October 9, 2010, at Strikeforce: San Jose, Woodley defeated André Galvão via knockout midway in the first round.

Woodley fought Tarec Saffiedine on January 7, 2011, in Nashville, Tennessee at Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Saffiedine.

Woodley won the fight via unanimous decision.

After the win, Woodley was signed to a contract extension with Strikeforce.

At Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson, Woodley replaced Evangelista Santos and fought Paul Daley.

Woodley defeated Daley via unanimous decision.

Woodley then fought Canadian prospect Jordan Mein at Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine.

Woodley won via split decision.

Woodley faced Nate Marquardt on July 14, 2012, at Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy for the vacant Strikeforce Welterweight Championship.

He lost the fight via KO in the fourth round.

Woodley faced Jay Hieron on February 2, 2013, at UFC 156 in his promotional debut, replacing an injured Erick Silva.

Woodley won the fight via KO at just 36 seconds of the opening round.

Woodley faced Jake Shields on June 15, 2013, at UFC 161.

Woodley lost the fight via split decision.

Woodley next faced off against Josh Koscheck at UFC 167 on November 16, 2013.

He won the fight via knockout in the first round.