Woodley Wants ‘Dominant’ Win Over Mein, Then Title Fight

Tyron Woodley (Pictured) has been in Jordan Mein’s position before: young, hungry and hoping to knock off someone with a name.

On Jan. 7 in Strikeforce, though, Woodley will be the well-known fighter that Mein’s trying to upset.

“I remember being in his spot, being hungry,” Woodley told the Sherdog Radio Network’s “Beatdown” show. “I remember trying to get to Strikeforce and trying to get to the main show and trying to get my name on the map and wanting to knock off a big name to do so. That’s kind of where he’s at.”

The 22-year-old Mein is an up-and-comer, but he has actually scored some significant wins already. He outpointed Josh Burkman in April, Marius Zaromskis in June and then stopped Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos in September. Woodley was impressed with the Santos win in particular.

“This kid came over and beat ‘Cyborg’ in his debut for Showtime,” Woodley said. “He has a great story. He’s 22 years old, been fighting pros since he was 16. He’s very well rounded. He’s very confident and comfortable. This is an exciting fight for me, and it’s a challenge. I’m not taking him lightly.”

The bout is an important one for Woodley. With a win, he could soon be fighting for the Strikeforce welterweight title that Nick Diaz vacated when he moved to the UFC.

“[Strikeforce] obviously had to figure out what the situation was with Showtime and see if they were basically going to exist or not,” Woodley said. “Now that we know kind of temporarily where they stand at, I think they’re going to start getting those two belts that are vacant and start getting some champions with them and I’m definitely in the hat. I’m probably going to be on the top of the list for the welterweight division. I look forward to getting through this kid in very dominant fashion, doing well, jumping back into camp and then maybe fighting someone for the belt in March or April.”

To win impressively against Mein, Woodley knows he will have to stay patient.

“You have to wrestle him, but also you can’t get frustrated because he’s a long guy,” Woodley said. “Closing the gap, you’ve got to be strategic. You can’t just dive in on legs and jump forward. … It’s my goal that no matter what round we’re in, how I’m feeling, basically to use my setups, use quick, fast hands to set up explosive, powerful takedowns.”

Woodley also plans on using Mein’s youthful drive against him.

“Instead of letting him knock me off and put himself on the map, I’m going to drain him,” Woodley said. “I’m going to use that energy and I’m going to get back to my roots, to that hunger I had when I first got to Strikeforce.”

Listen to the full interview (beginning at 4:30).