In perhaps Tyron Woodley’s best performance to date, the former UFC welterweight champion was able to show off his well-rounded game.
Woodley put his title on the line against then unbeaten rising star Darren Till in the main event of UFC 228. Despite being champ, Woodley was the betting underdog.
It was an aggressive start from Woodley, who charged at Till with a combination then quickly engaged in the clinch. But they were quickly separated, and for the rest of the round, both men were tentative to throw. Woodley initiated the clinch once more towards the end of the round, but they were broken up by the referee once again.
But in Round 2, Woodley clipped Till with a big right hand just 10 seconds in, unleashing a barrage of ground and pound. Till momentarily survived the onslaught, but as he was curling up to the side, Woodley latched onto his neck and sunk in a D’Arce choke to tap him out.
It was an emotional moment for Woodley, who was awarded his black belt after notching his first submission win in the UFC.
Woodley (19-5-1 MMA, 9-4-1 UFC) will look to snap his two-fight losing skid Saturday when he faces Colby Covington (15-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) in the UFC on ESPN+ 36 main event, which takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Before he faces Covington, relive Woodley’s finish over Till in the video above.
