MMANEWS.COM Staff Writer<Br><Br>
If you haven't heard the name Tyron Woodley before now may be a good time to get familiar with it. Woodley has been one of Strikeforce's rising stars and on January 7th will be back in action for the first time in 2012.<br><Br>
Woodley enjoyed success in 2011, fighting only twice but winning both times against tough opponents Tarec Saffiedine and Paul "Semtex" Daley.<br><Br>
Outside of the cage has also been successful for Woodley, he opened a new gym in St. Louis this past week and MMANews.com had a chance to chat with him about the grand opening celebrations as well as his January 7th match up with Jordan Mein.<Br><Br>
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MMANew.com: We're speaking with Tyron Woodley today here on MMANews.com, how are you today Tyron?<br><Br>
Tyron Woodley: I'm doing good man.<br><Br>
MMANews.com: You had the big grand opening of your new gym this past weekend, how did it go?<br><Br>
Tyron Woodley: It went well. We had a lot of people in. We did a traditional grand opening and topped it off on Sunday with an appearance by Randy Couture to promote his new book. On Saturday we showcased my employees and all the trainers I have here. I want them start to increase their brand as well so we had them on display and they gave some demonstrations. My Muay Thai coach wanted to do a demonstration and we basically displayed the facility and showed everyone why it's important for American Top Team to be here. A lot of people don't know what American Top Team is so we've got to educate them and bring them up to speed. They all see us fighting on TV and winning world titles but I want to show them that everyone is qualified.<br><Br>
MMANew.com: Tell us a little about the gym...<br><Br>
Tyron Woodley: Basically we specialize in MMA. It's a one stop shop. We offer kids classes, women’s classes and adult classes and we provide services in different martial arts for both amateur and pros. All of my trainers have personal trainer certification and they also specialize in different areas of martial arts.<br><br>
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MMANew.com: Let's talk a little about your upcoming fight with Jordan Mein, how has preparation gone for the bout?<br><br>
Tyron Woodley: It's going. You got to balance your time and piece it in and make sure you get you get good work outs in so that it all comes together. I'm bringing in Thiago Alves, Marcus Brimage and also we'll be getting Jason High so it's all been pretty awesome. With all the people coming up, I've been getting some really good training. Several of my coaches flew in from LA so for a change.<Br><Br>
MMANew.com: With the holidays coming up and the opening of the new gym has any of it been a distraction heading into the bout? <br><br>
Tyron Woodley: Actually not at all. I'm usually out of town training for bouts so to be able to have guys fly in to me and help me train it's been huge. It can be a bonus but if you don't organize properly it can become a minus really quick.<br><Br>
MMANew.com: What are your thoughts on the fight with Jordan Mein? How do you feel you match up?<br><Br>
Tyron Woodley: I feel really well and feel I match up well. I think he's long and moves around well but overall I think my game is a little stronger and a little bit more developed.<Br><Br>
MMANew.com: How are you feeling about the Stirkeforce welterweight picture right now?<Br><Br>
Tyron Woodley: We've got some tough guys but unfortunately a lot of the guys are prospects right now. I'm trying to merge from prospect to Champion. Everybody at this point is going to be a tough fight and I've just got to run through it and do well.<Br><Br>
MMANew.com: Has there been talk about when the Strikeforce Welterweight Title will be re-introduced with Nick Diaz moving to the UFC?<br><br>
Tyron Woodley: There's been a ton of talk. Things had to be figured out with Showtime and different things within the company so I think they had to get through that first before they decided when or who I would be fighting for the title. <br><Br>
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MMANew.com: This match up against Mein becomes all the more important with the title hanging in the background. Do you feel with a win you are guaranteed a shot?<Br><Br>
Tyron Woodley I definitely think I'll be fighting for the title once things are figured out. A win doesn't mean I will get a world title fight so if in the meantime I need to take another fight that will help me along that I'll do that. <Br><Br>
MMANew.com: You fought twice this year, are you hoping to be more active in 2012?<Br><Br>
Tyron Woodley: I want to fight at least three times, two just isn't enough. Three or four fights would be awesome. That is the type of schedule that Champions are one, usually fight three to four times, and i feel to get to that point of being a champion that is the schedule I need to be on. I need to be active.<Br><Br>
MMANew.com: What do you think 2012 holds for you? <Br><Br>
Tyron Woodley: For me I'm focusing on what's in front of me. Everyone asks if I'm going to make the jump to the UFC or when I'm going to the UFC but right now my goal is to win the Strikeforce Welterweight Title and when I do that all these other things will cancel themselves out. I've been trying to win this title for two and a half, almost three years.When I get to that point we'll see where we are with my contract and where things are with the organization.<br><br>
MMANew.com: How have things been for you since Zuffa purchased Strikeforce? <Br><Br>
Tyron Woodley: Things have been fine. It hasn't really had a big effect on me. I've been focused on getting my gym together and my fight January 7th. Strikeforce has always treated me well. They’ve always matched me up in good fights that could help me progress my career but weren’t just easy wins. I’m excited to see how things all work out but right now I’m just focused on Jordan Mein and my path to the World title.<br><br>
MMANew.com: Finally, how do you see the fight playing out?<Br><Br>
Tyron Woodley: I see it playing out in my favor. I think I'm going to out there and rough him a little bit. He's a younger kid who I think has a couple more growth spurts left in him but my goal is to win every position and control the fight on the way to victory.<Br><Br>
MMANew.com: Great Tyron, is there anyone you would like to thank? Where can your fans follow you on Twitter and check out the new gym?
Tyron Woodley: I wanna thank my fans for sticking with me and Clinch Gear for supporting me through sponsorships. I want to thank American Top Team for being one of the best camps in the world and my family and supporters who help make this happen and allow me to live my dream. You can also follow me on Twitter @ATTEvolution or you can follow him @TWooodley. You can also check my new gym out at 9751 Manchester Road, Rock Hill, MO. 63119.<Br><Br>
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