Woodley On Makhachev's Discipline After Own Rockstar Life

Islam Makhachev's unwavering discipline sets him apart in an era of fighters chasing fame, according to former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley.

Makhachev broke Anderson Silva's consecutive UFC wins record and defended the welterweight belt against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 on August 15. Woodley, who last fought Silva and once held the same 170-pound strap, told Bowks Talking Bouts that the Dagestani champion prioritizes winning over celebrity. "The biggest Dagistanian and Russian flex is discipline," Woodley said. "They're more focused on discipline, more focused on being undefeated than they are women, girls, cars, you know what I mean? Fancy things, clout and exposure."

Woodley Admits Distractions Cost Him UFC Title

Woodley acknowledged his own welterweight reign ended partly because he shifted focus to a rockstar lifestyle. Reports from his title loss cited distractions outside training as a factor. He told Bowks Talking Bouts that he occasionally let women distract him from fighting and wishes he had stayed more focused. Dan Lambert, owner of American Top Team, repeatedly advised him to just win and ignore everything else, Woodley said. Looking back at losses to Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington, he believes those opponents were less difficult than earlier fights he won when his discipline was sharper.

Woodley praised Makhachev for avoiding the entertainment circus despite now holding a belt in a second weight class after a historic lightweight run. He said Makhachev keeps throwing sand in front of people until they have to address his dominance rather than seeking clout through media. Woodley admitted he is not blown away by Makhachev as a fighter but called his discipline some of the greatest in the sport. He suggested young fighters look up to the Dagestani circle for staying focused.

Makhachev returns to lightweight later this year, though no date has been announced. Woodley last competed in boxing in 2021.

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• BJPenn — Islam Makhachev embodies the lost art of discipline, per ex-UFC welterweight champ who strayed into “rockstar life”