Image caption: LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 05: Sean Woodson stands in his corner between rounds of his featherweight fight against Youssef Zalal of Morocco during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on June 05, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Sean Woodson (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) is intending to make a big statement in his upcoming featherweight clash with Collin Anglin (8-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) at UFC Vegas 42 on Saturday, Nov. 13.
Woodson said it is “super important” that he go out and finish or earn a dominant win over Anglin for his own satisfaction. His last fight was a split decision win over Youssef Zalal in June.
“I wasn’t happy with my last fight at all,” Woodson told MMASucka. “I feel like I showed a fraction of what I can do. It’d mean a lot to me to not have that bitter taste in my mouth after this one. I want to go out there and put on a performance that I’m happy with, you know? … Despite what anybody else thinks or anybody else’s opinion, I’m going more out there for personal reasons. To prove something to myself and make myself proud.”
Woodson acknowledged he would need to finish Anglin to get MMA fans excited about his potential once again, but it’s not his sole focus heading into the fight.
“I care what fans think of course, but my main goal is, I wanna win,” Woodson said. “Even above winning this fight, I’m just more concerned about performing the way I can. I’m focused about putting on the best performances possible. I’m going to be hunting that finish for sure.”
Woodson said he is “super happy” with the Anglin fight and said the match-up will allow him to put all his skills on display.
“I’m going to have to use all my skills to win this fight,” he said. “I feel like this fight is going to take place everywhere. We’ll be in the clinch, on the cage, the fight will probably hit the mat at some point. I’m going to have to display my ground skills. I’ve been working on everything. I feel like this is the perfect fight to show what I’ve been working on.”
The Missouri native has been focusing on his wrestling and jiu-jitsu skills during his camp, as he said striking is like riding a bike to him. Cardio, however, has also taken a front seat during camp.
“Cardio is king in this sport,” Woodson said. “Fatigue makes cowards of us all. I’ve been doing everything I can to make sure my ground game is as sharp as possible and that my cardio is on point to where I will not get tired.”
Woodson stands out in the featherweight division for his 6 feet 2 inches frame, boasting a 79-inch reach to go along with it. With Anglin at 5 feet 9 inches while possessing a 71-inch reach, Woodson said he will make it “super hard” for Anglin to get inside on him and get his game going.
“The closest he’s going to get to me, I believe, is the weigh-ins at the faceoffs,” Woodson said. “I’ve got the longest reach in the division, I’m the tallest guy in the division, and I know how to use it. I feel like Anglin is going to come forward and he’s going to apply the pressure, but it’s going to be really hard for him to get his hands on me.”
Woodson said Anglin is “super tough,” and said it is likely he won’t be able to put his opponent away with just one shot.
“It’s going to take a lot of shots over and over again,” Woodson said. “As long as he keeps coming forward, I’m going to be in shape. As long as he’s willing to take it, I’m going to keep dishing it out.”
Woodson believes between his planned offensive onslaught and Anglin’s toughness, a finish in the late second or third round is in the cards.
“First couple of rounds will probably be a dog fight of us scrapping it out. He’s going to pressure a lot, I’m gonna weather the storm, and I don’t believe he will weather mine.”
Should all go according to plan against Anglin, Woodson is preparing for a big 2022 campaign. He has designs on fighting at least three to four times next year and said he will do everything in his power to make that happen.
“I’m going to be vocal about it. I’m going to call guys out. I’m going to talk to the matchmakers. I’m going to keep my weight low. Granted in the past, that’s been on me why I haven’t been as active. Yeah, there have been times where I haven’t gotten the fight offers, but there have been a couple of times where I’ve been too heavy. They hit me up with short-notice fights and I’ve been too heavy to make the weight. That’s not going to happen anymore. I’m going to make sure to keep my weight low all year round all 2022 so that I can be as active as possible, get my name out there as much as possible and get in that cage as much as possible. Hell, make as much money as possible and be super active.”
UFC Vegas 42 is set to go down from the UFC APEX on Nov. 13. The preliminary card, which Sean Woodson vs. Collin Anglin is a part of, is set to start airing at 1 p.m. on ESPN+. The card is due to be headlined by featherweights Max Holloway and Yair Rodriguez. Holloway is the division’s former champion.
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