Tyron Woodley Rallies from 8-1 Down at RAF 12 for First Victory Since 2018
Tyron Woodley just picked up his first competitive victory since 2018 at the RAF 12 event, mounting a immense comeback after being 8-1 down against Joaquin Buckley.
Tyron Woodley was in deep trouble at Real American Freestyle 12, staring down an 8-1 deficit against Joaquin Buckley. For a moment, it looked like his long-standing win drought would extend another chapter. Instead, the former UFC welterweight kingpin dug deep, rallying back to score his first combat sports victory in eight years.
A Long-Awaited Triumph for the Former Champion
Woodley had not tasted victory inside any cage or ring since September 2018, when he submitted Darren Till to defend his UFC welterweight title at UFC 228. What followed was a brutal rough patch, dropping four straight Octagon bouts before transitioning to high-profile boxing matches against Jake Paul and an exhibition loss to Anderson Silva.
Entering RAF 12 in Cleveland, the two-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler faced a stiff challenge in UFC standout Joaquin Buckley. "New Mansa" came out fast and aggressive, racking up points early to build a commanding 8-1 lead. Buckley looked poised to walk away with a blowout decision, but Woodley refused to fold.
Showing the grit that made him a legendary Missouri Tiger, the 44-year-old adjusted his pacing, stayed disciplined, and began chipping away at the lead. Point by point, Woodley stormed back to steal the match in thrilling fashion, shocking the audience and earning his first hand raised in combat sports in eight years.
Following the victory, an emotional Woodley made it clear that keeping his cool under pressure was the secret to the dramatic comeback.
âI didnât lose my composure,â Woodley said post-match. âI said, âTyron, you gonna win tonight, you gonna win tonight, you gonna win tonightâŚâ AND I WON!â
The victory provides a massive morale boost for the former champion. While Buckley drops a hard-fought freestyle match while maintaining his standing in the UFC welterweight division, Woodley proves that his competitive engine still has plenty of fuel left in the tank.
