Former UFC champion Tyron Woodley has found himself at the center of controversy following claims made by an individual purporting to be his cousin. The alleged relative made assertions about Woodley’s high-profile boxing match with internet personality Jake Paul.
During an interview, ‘Cousin’ alleged that his “literal cousin” had been compensated to deliberately lose the contest against Paul. This claim has sent shockwaves through the combat sports community, calling into question the integrity of the bout that took place in December 2021.
The match in question was a rematch between Woodley and Paul, following their initial encounter earlier that year. While the first bout ended in a decision victory for Paul, the rematch concluded dramatically with Paul securing a knockout win in the sixth round.
These allegations have emerged as Paul prepares for his upcoming exhibition match against boxing legend Mike Tyson. When asked about the Tyson-Paul matchup, Cousin cryptically remarked, “If it’s paid off, Jake Paul, if not, Mike Tyson’s going to knock him out.”
It’s important to note that these claims remain unverified, and Tyron Woodley himself has yet to publicly address the accusations. The former UFC welterweight champion has been relatively quiet since his bouts with Paul, although he recently revealed that he has received numerous offers to return to combat sports.
Former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley recently revealed a surprising offer to face 2017 World’s Strongest Man, Eddie Hall, in a match with only three weeks’ notice. The proposed bout, to take place in Ireland, came during Woodley’s ongoing exploration of combat sports opportunities following his departure from the UFC. Despite the intrigue of fighting the 365-pound strongman, Woodley declined the offer, citing his reluctance to accept short-notice matches. Woodley has also been in talks for high-profile fights against legends like Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, as well as a potential bout with KSI, though none have materialized. As he evaluates his next move, Woodley expressed interest in boxing matches with MMA stars Nate or Nick Diaz, continuing to seek compelling opportunities in the evolving combat sports landscape.
