While Tyron Woodley has plenty of experience in the octagon – many of you might be unaware that the last Brazilian he’s fought in his MMA career and the only pure Grappler he faced is a bjj GOAT Andre Galvao.
Way back in 2010 Woodley made his way to the cage to face ADCC champ Andre Galvao as a part of Strikeforce’s event. The fight ended up with Woodley KOing Galvao in the 1st round.
Still Galvao is uniquely positioned to weigh in on how Demian Maia might do against Woodley in his coveted title shot.
Here’s what he told mmafighting:
“Demian is a really intelligent guy, and Tyron Woodley is really strong,” Galvao told MMA Fighting. “(Woodley) is smart, too, and will obviously try everything he can to keep the fight standing against Demian. He will work on his takedown defense and against the fence a lot, for sure.
“But I think Demian is smarter and more experienced, and with great, well-timed takedowns. Demian deserves it and I will be cheering for him.”
Asked for a prediction, the ADCC absolute gold medalist didn’t hesitate.
”Demian will submit him in the second round,” Galvao said.
And as far as Galvao’s own career in mma goes, he doesn’t necessarily rule it out but he’s not banking on it either. Back in 2015 rumors were swirling he received an offer from Rizin but they never came to an agreement:
“They haven’t talked (about) anything else,” Galvao said of the Japanese promotion, “and I’m moving on with my life.”
Will he ever compete under MMA rules again?
“Only if I get a really good offer,” Galvao said.
