Sean Woodson is all-in on a run at the UFC featherweight title, but he knows his stay in the division could be on a clock.
Woodson (13-1-1 MMA, 7-1-1 UFC), who is in the midst of a seven-fight unbeaten streak inside the octagon, is among the tallest fighters in his weight class at 6-foot-2. His unique body type has proven to be an effective advantage, and he thinks this is where he belongs.
The 32-year-old is currently looking for a high-profile name at 145 pounds that can help him break into the rankings in 2025, and his goals are clear. However, he is always monitoring his physical wellbeing, and if unforeseen issues begin to surface with his weight cuts, Woodson wouldn’t hesitate to make a change.
“Health is No. 1,” Woodson told MMA Junkie Radio. “Within these next few years, if I start to seriously have some issues and feel some things to make me want to move up, then I won’t ignore it or fight it. But right now, there’s no real reason to other than everyone else saying their opinion of, ‘Go up to ’55. You’re a weight bully – move up.’ I’ll move up whenever I feel like it.”
Woodson is coming off a first-round TKO of Fernando Padilla at UFC on ESPN 63 in December. He hasn’t tasted defeat since June 2020, and thinks this is his prime.
Nothing is forever, though, and Woodson admits he does see the day when featherweight is no longer his home.
“For sure (I will eventually move up),” Woodson said. “Not even like the (weight) cuts are so extreme now that I have to do it now, but as long as I keep making the cut to ’45 relatively easy, I’m going to stay here. I’ve already put in a pretty nice-sized body of work here, so it doesn’t really make sense for me. I’m right here about to crack into the rankings.”
