TAMPA, Florida – Sean Woodson has only one setback in his MMA career, and it happened long enough ago that he’s seen some UFC careers start and end since his loss to Julian Erosa.

Since then, in 4.5 years, the 32-year-old featherweight has gone 6-0-1. But the most recent victory, a knockout of Fernando Padilla just two seconds from the end of the first round at UFC on ESPN 63could have been his most crucial yet.

Woodson (13-1-1 MMA, 7-1-1 UFC) had to survive some early adversity against Padilla (16-6 MMA, 2-2 UFC) at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla., but quickly rallied for its first finish since 2021.

“He was on me early and he cracked me hard a few times, but I just knew I had to weather the storm and I would find my reach and start landing on him,” Woodson said during his conference. post-fight press. “…I didn’t feel respected (before the fight) and I was angry throughout that camp and I was bottling it up, I was bottling it up – and I just knew that on fight night I was going to use it and use it wisely. This guy was going to have to turn off my lights or keep coming.

Woodson hasn’t lost since a D’Arce choke against Julian Erosa in June 2020. Before the fight with Padilla, he was working on three straight decision victories on the heels of a split draw in mid-2020.

Because Padilla is at least close to Woodson in size, he expected a different type of fight to unfold.

“It was definitely different, because I’m 6-foot-2 and everyone I fight at featherweight is going to be shorter than me,” Woodson said. “I think he’s probably the only guy at featherweight who’s also 6 feet tall. But I avoid the big ones all the time. We have a group of great guys on my team. I’ve boxed all my life. I felt like fighting another big guy like me was going to really throw me off balance or throw me for a loop – nothing. I was more than prepared for this.

“…100 percent yeah, (I feel disrespected). I feel very strongly about personal responsibility – it’s my fault. I’m not the biggest talker. It was my first result in about three years. Winning is good, but when you win decisions you won’t get that respect. You won’t get notoriety. I feel like I don’t get the respect I deserve, but I feel like they know me now and will respect me now.

Even though a seven-fight unbeaten streak at featherweight seems to warrant at least some discussion of a title shot, Woodson believes the names he’s beaten don’t yet have him in the conversation.

Nonetheless, he said he was now ready to start taking steps he was previously unwilling to take. And he thinks

“I’ll go anywhere in the world,” Woodson said. “At first, I was convinced that I didn’t want to travel abroad. (Now) I will go anywhere. I will fight anyone ranked above me. Dana (White is) big on “earning what you kill.” I heard him say that. I feel like I prepared for a big fight and I earned it and I deserve it.

But does he deserve the champion, Ilia Topuria? Maybe not yet, Woodson guesses, but maybe soon. And he really likes the game.

“He’s super good – what he’s done so far is,” Woodson said. “But I’m not going to hold my tongue at all. I don’t feel at all like he would be able to treat me the way he treated others. It’s too small, too small. I’m a bad match for him. I saw someone online saying he weighed about 187 (pounds), 190 (outside of camp). I don’t believe it at all. I’m not even that big. He acts like he’s better than he is.

“I will say I would love to fight him. I know I’m far from it, but I really want this fight. I would love to fight him one day. I know it sounds crazy. I didn’t have the best (CV). I haven’t fought (big names), it doesn’t matter. But I tell you right now, they don’t do to me like he did to everyone else.

vertical gallery id = 2793177)

To learn more about the card, visit MMA Junkie’s Event Center for UFC on ESPN 63.