Former UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley has opened up about the extravagant lifestyle he lived whilst he reigned as champion.
Woodley took the welterweight title in July 2016 with a knockout victory over Robbie Lawler.
He then successfully defended his title against Stephen Thompson, Demian Maia and Darren Till.
But Woodley ultimately lost the title at UFC 235 back in March 2019, with a decision defeat to Kamaru Usman.
And the 37-year-old has now opened up about his lavish spending during the three years he held the title.
‘A Lot of Money’
Speaking to Ariel Helwani of ESPN, Woodley said: “I blew through a lot of f***ing money, man.”
“A lot of money.”
“Jewelry and VIP and all these experiences, all these things that came with the championship life.”
“When you come from where I come from, you never imagine making that type of money.”
“You never imagine being in that type of position.”
“You work hard for it, and I didn’t get there by accident, but nobody taught me finance,”
Tough Times
Woodley said part of the reason he spent his earning so freely is due to his upbringing and his family having to spend all the money they had.
“Everybody taught me 1+1 is 2,” Woodley explained.
“That’s math, that ain’t finance.”
“That ain’t wealth, that ain’t investing, that ain’t saving, that ain’t tax.”
“That’s basically, you made money and, f***ng, you spend it.”
“Because when I was growing up, we spent it when it came in.”
“My mom’s check was already cut up, it was done before she even got it.”
“She had to pick which utility bills was not gonna be on that, that month.”
“And it was something that I didn’t recognize, as a kid, that it wasn’t normal.”
“I thought everybody had to do that.”
‘A Lesson Learned’
‘The Chosen One’ says he spent money on cars, houses and expensive trips because he wasn’t prepared for the cash flow to stop, but losing his title to Usman was a reality check.
“I bought, like, seven cars and, f***ing, two houses and all these trips,” Woodley continued.
“And nobody ever lifted a f*cking hand when we was at a restaurant, 10-15 people went to dinner.”
“I was going to VIP clubs and all this sh*t, like, every other week,”
“And I just imagined making that amount of money for a very long time.”
“And they very quickly said, ‘Poof!’ Damn! I’m on it like, ‘You gonna tell me, March 3rd, that this is different? It’s not the same?’”
“And it’s just a lesson learned.”
Woodley isn’t the first in combat sport to spend his money outlandishly when he got his big payday and most likely won’t be the last.
The Chosen One next faces Leon Edwards in the main event of UFC Fight Night 171 on March 21.
(Featured image source: Instagram/ Tyron Woodley)