Here's something most people won't admit: Tyron Woodley's battles with Jake Paul might have been the most important moments of his entire career. Yes, you read that right—and before you rush to the comments, hear me out.
When Tyron Woodley reflects on his two boxing matches against Jake Paul, he doesn't see them as footnotes in his combat sports journey. Instead, he views them as absolutely pivotal—"everything," as he puts it. And this is the part most people miss: these fights represented something far bigger than just another payday or a celebrity boxing spectacle.
Let's rewind to how this rivalry even came to be. Jake Paul had just catapulted himself into the combat sports conversation by delivering a stunning knockout victory over Ben Askren, a former UFC welterweight competitor who also held championship gold in ONE Championship. At that same moment in time, Woodley was stepping away from mixed martial arts following a disappointing streak of four consecutive defeats—a tough way for any fighter to close a chapter.
Initially, hardly anyone believed Paul could actually defeat a seasoned UFC veteran like Askren. When "The Problem Child" proved the doubters wrong, critics were quick to downplay the achievement, labeling it as nothing more than a win over someone primarily known for wrestling rather than striking. The combat sports community immediately began calling for Paul to face Woodley next—another wrestler, sure, but one who carried legitimate knockout power in his hands. This set the stage for Woodley's professional boxing debut, which took place in Cleveland, Ohio, in 2021. Paul ultimately secured a split-decision victory, though the judges' scorecards sparked considerable debate and controversy among fans and analysts alike.
The story didn't end there, though. Paul had originally been scheduled to face Tommy Fury later that same year, but Fury had to withdraw due to an injury. Woodley, accepting the challenge on extremely short notice, agreed to a rematch with Paul. This second encounter took place in Tampa, Florida, where Paul delivered a decisive sixth-round knockout that left no room for controversy this time around.
But here's where it gets controversial: Woodley recently opened up about just how much this rivalry meant to him personally, making a bold claim that might raise some eyebrows. "The Chosen One" stated that he believes his two fights with Paul generated more buzz and cultural impact than even Floyd Mayweather's exhibition bout against Logan Paul—Jake's older brother. That's a massive statement, and one that's sure to divide opinions.
Woodley: Even My Haters Wanted Me to Win
"[The rivalry with Jake Paul] that was everything for me," Woodley shared during an interview with the PressBox's Fruity King. "It represented my opportunity to prove that I'm a genuine star, and I genuinely feel that when I stepped into the ring with Jake, those two fights completely dominated internet conversations throughout the entirety of 2021. The cultural impact was even bigger than the Logan Paul versus Floyd Mayweather fight. This was the rivalry, this was the matchup where the entire culture rallied together, and even everybody who despised me during my mixed martial arts career suddenly wanted to see me defeat Jake. They wanted me to beat Jake more intensely than they wanted to witness me lose, and it marked the first time in a very long time where everybody was actually rooting for me."
That last point is particularly fascinating and emotionally powerful. Imagine being a fighter who faced criticism and negativity throughout your UFC tenure, only to find that same audience suddenly united in supporting you against a common opponent. It speaks volumes about how Jake Paul's presence in combat sports has shifted traditional fan allegiances and created unexpected storylines.
Since those defeats to Paul, Woodley hasn't returned to any form of competitive combat sports. Meanwhile, Paul has continued building his boxing resume with victories over Anderson Silva, Nate Diaz, Mike Perry, boxing legend Mike Tyson, and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., with his only professional loss coming against Tommy Fury in their eventual matchup. Paul's journey continues as he's now set to face WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis in an exhibition bout scheduled for November 14 in Tampa, Florida.
So here's the question that needs to be asked: Was Woodley right to view these fights as "everything"? Did his rivalry with Jake Paul actually elevate his legacy, or did it diminish what he accomplished in the UFC? Some might argue that a former UFC champion shouldn't need validation from a YouTuber-turned-boxer. Others might say that Woodley finally got the mainstream attention and cultural relevance he deserved all along, even if it came in an unexpected package.
What's your take? Did the Jake Paul fights help or hurt Tyron Woodley's legacy? And was he justified in claiming they were bigger than Mayweather vs. Logan Paul? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I have a feeling this one's going to spark some heated debate.
