Predict the winner of Tyron Woodley vs. Stephen Thompson and how you think it will play out…
ADAM TINDAHL, MMATorch contributor
I’ve been on the Stephen Thompson hype train for so long now, I might as well be the conductor. His striking is arguably the best in the UFC and the way he controls distance and timing is masterful. Calling Tyron Woodley explosive is an understatement, though, and when Drake wrote 0-100, I’d be willing to bet T-Wood was the inspiration behind it. Unfortunately for him, though, Wonderboy will be able to see the blitz coming from a mile away and will likely catch him with the perfect counter to steal the belt in the 2nd round.
MICHAEL HISCOE, MMATorch contributor
This one is tough to predict, but I’m going with Tyron Woodley. He hasn’t been as active as Stephen Thompson has, but he’s proven to be versatile enough where he can avoid Thompson’s kicks and reach advantage and land some big shots and get takedowns as well. This is one of the tougher fights to pick on the card, but I think Woodley wins by second round TKO.
NICK GRINUPS, MMATorch contributor
I can’t wait for this fight. The punch that Tyron Woodley landed on Robbie Lawler could have knocked anyone out in the UFC. Thompson just beat up one of the top welterweights in Rory MacDonald and finished Johnny Hendricks. If Woodley can make this into a dog fight, I think he can win in a similar fashion Matt Brown did against Thompson. But if Woodley decides to stand with Thompson and try to find that right hand KO he did against Lawler, he may be in for a long night. I think Thompson is able to use his range and unorthodox strikes to take home the belt. My final prediction is Thompson by Unanimous Decision (49-46).
MATTHEW PETERSON, MMATorch contributor
I’m calling this one for Thompson. He thoroughly thrashed Rory Mac in their fight and showed that his game has evolved exponentially since he started in the UFC. I look for him to use footwork to avoid any big punches from Woodley and stuff most if not all takedowns. He wins via decision or championship round TKO.
ROBERT VALLEJOS, MMATorch contributor
I see Tyron Woodley as the next one and done UFC Champion. Stephen Thomson’s striking abilities will prevail in either the second or third round. This should be a great fight, but I just believe that Thomson will hurt Woodley early and the accumulation of shots will eventually swing the fight for “Wonderboy.”
JASON AMADI, MMATorch contributor
I think Tyron Woodley will press for the KO early and probably be successful in getting it. Thompson has all the tools to beat Woodley over the course of a five round fight, but I don’t think he’ll be prepared for the kind of speed and athleticism the champ will be able to call upon early. Woodley is exceptionally good at closing the distance and I don’t see Thompson being able to recover from a massive Woodley punch.
FRANK HYDEN, MMATorch contributor
Tyron Woodley is really tough, but I think Thompson’s striking skills will get him the victory. Woodley is fully capable of knocking Thompson out, but I think Thompson will prove to be too much. He’s so dynamic that it’s hard to get a good feel for trying to counter and avoid him. I think things start slow and then pick up in the championship rounds until Woodley sustains too much damage and Thompson gets the TKO late in the fourth round.
MICHAEL GROCKE, MMATorch contributor
NOW CHECK OUT OUR PREVIOUS UFC 205 ROUNDTABLE TOPIC: ROUNDTABLE (pt. 2 of 2): Predict how Eddie Alvarez vs. Conor McGregor will play out at UFC 205
Leave a Reply