Grappling dynamics:
Stephen Thompson, the same man who got out-grappled for three rounds by Matt Brown, out-wrestled one of the best wrestlers in the division and former Tri-Star training partner Rory Macdonald in a 5-Rounder. Let that sink in!
After training extensively with former UFC Middleweight Champ Chris Weidman, to say that Wonderboy has developed good grappling would be an understatement.
However, in his 205 matchup against Woodley, Wonderboy got taken down after T-Wood managed to parry the karateka’s slapping kick, caught the leg and muscled the lanky WW to the mat. The fight remained on the mat for the rest of the first round, with Woodley busting him open using slick elbows from top position.
This led to Stephen changing up his usual kick-heavy approach, using his hands to fight off the stocky wrestler’s blitzes as well as takedown attempts, not giving him the opportunity to take him down off of a naked kick. For the rest of the fight, Wonderboy used his kicks sparingly and mostly hidden behind punches or feints.
Furthermore, owing to the fear of being taken down, the karateka seemed extremely hesitant in turning over his hips into most of the kicks thrown by him, as a result of which his occasional kicks were nothing more than love taps on ‘The Chosen One’s’ dome and tree-trunk-like torso.
Now, mind you, if this was a pure kick boxing matchup, the most likely scenario would be Thompson lighting up Woodley like a Christmas tree. It’s the grappling threat that helped the champ shut-down Thompson’s vaunted kicking game and going into the rematch, I see Woodley’s TD-threat once again hindering Wonderboy from utilising his vast arsenal of kicks.
Here’s Evolve MMA gym’s video, featuring Tyron Woodley who explains a double-leg takedown technique-
Neither fighter is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu savant, however, by no means does that imply they can’t secure a flash submission after dazing the other with a clean strike. That said, the fight is unlikely to end in a submission (Yes I know Woodley almost had that guillotine in their first fight!).
Sensei Tiger Says: The Wrestling edge undoubtedly goes to Woodley, with their BJJ skills being on a similar level. The overall Grappling edge goes to T-Wood.
