UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley recently underwent successful shoulder surgery, clearing up some issues that have affected him for quite some time.
Now that the surgery is complete, a planned return to the Octagon should be happening in the first quarter of 2018.
“The reason I came (to South Florida) is Dr. (James) Andrews,” Woodley said to TMZ Sports. “He’s very, very famous for the shoulder surgery, and also the Tommy John surgery to the elbow. He’s supposed to be the No. 1 surgeon in the country for these types of injuries. I came out here for that purpose alone. With the stem cell and (platelet rich plasma injections), the new technology and science, I’m going to be fighting in the first quarter of next year. In two months, I’ll be punching something.”
Woodley was last seen earning a unanimous decision win over Damien Maia in the co-main event of UFC 214.
Former UFC Lightweight Champion Rafael Dos Anjos may be next for the champion, but Woodley wasn’t too thrilled with his last performance.
“I wasn’t too impressed with him, to be honest,” Woodley said. “Would I be open to fighting him? Yeah. But is he the top fighter on my list? No.”
The champion originally put off the surgery for a potential super fight against either Nate Diaz or Georges St. Pierre, but neither bout came to fruition.
