Former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley has finally discovered exactly why he’s been suffering from recurring issues with his right hand.
Woodley had previously dislocated his thumb during a fight with Darren Till last year that required surgery, but despite that he’s still been having problems with that hand, which forced him to pull out of a rematch with Robbie Lawler at UFC On ESPN 3 next month.
Now after consulting with a specialist he’s found out why he’s not been able to properly heal his thumb.
“The hand specialist looked at the x-ray and the MRI and said I have chronic arthritis in my joint (in my thumb),” Woodley told TMZ. “There are three joints that allow me to grab and grip. One has chronic arthritis and (another) has severe arthritis.”
That’s a real blow for Woodley as the specialist has been unable to offer him a permanent solution that would allow the 37-year-old to continue competing without impeding on his ability to fight properly.
As such, Woodley is having to look for an alternative, less permanent solution that would give him a chance to fight again.
“The temporary fix is to rehab it. Get it stronger. Get the flexibility to where we can actually start to grab and grip. And then, ten days before the fight, try to do a cortisone shot.
“So, I have the UFC checking on dates in cities, states, that actually allow you to have a cortisone shot.”
With that in mind, UFC 241 in California on August 17th is now being earmarked as a potential return for Woodley, who has made it clear that despite his thumb issues he still wants to try to win back the 170lb title.
“I feel like I should have gotten the instant rematch (with Usman). We saw that didn’t happen. Did I cry over spilled milk? No, I put myself in position to have the opportunity to perform.”
