Mike Perry Defends Tyron Woodley From Critics

UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley has faced his fair share of criticism from fans, fighters and a host of others.

Mike Perry has come to the defense of the welterweight champion, whom he may be fighting himself one day.

“I thought it was a championship performance (at UFC 214),” Perry said to The MMA Hour. “I thought he did a great job. Everybody hates on him. I think that’s what they’re supposed to do. I think they’re supposed to hate on ‘T-Woodley.’ That’s who ‘T-Woodley’ has become, this hated figure as a champion who just fights smart. People are mad how smart he is. I like the champ, he’s a good guy. I’ve talked to him a few times. He knows it’s a possibility one day we’re going to fight, but it is what it is. Like I said, it’s the fight business, and he ain’t going to have that clean performance against me, because Demian Maia, he can’t throw a damn punch. He couldn’t punch his way out of a wet paper bag. He grabbed him, he ain’t have no wrestling to take him down. He just grabs people, takes the back and hugs on tight. (Jorge) Masvidal did a fantastic job of defending that, he just couldn’t get him off his back, he couldn’t keep him off. ‘T-Woodley’ is an amazing wrestler and was way too strong. Simple stuff. I’m learning from watching. I’m going to keep it all up here for the future.”

At UFC 214, the welterweight champion earned a decision win over Demian Maia, a performance that was lauded by many who checked out the fight.

While Perry would defend the champion, the competitor doesn’t have many kind things to say about the rest of the welterweight division.

“What’s his name, Colby Covington, No. 16, he got No. 1 or No. 2 or No. 3, wherever Demian Maia is now. He’s fighting Demian Maia? I should get a top-five (opponent). People want to see me and Robbie Lawler, people want to see me and Donald Cerrone. Neil Magny just got smashed by (Rafael) dos Anjos — dos Anjos ain’t no real welterweight, man. He beat a stick figure. … He did a good job. But that wouldn’t go that way with me,” says Perry.

UFC Fight Night Pittsburgh takes place on Saturday, September 16 from the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with Luke Rockhold and David Branch headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which airs live on Fox Sports 1.