Tyron Woodley’s return to competitive wrestling did not begin easily.
At RAF 12 on August 22, 2026, Joaquin Buckley jumped out to an 8-0 advantage against the former UFC welterweight champion. Woodley then changed the direction of the match completely.
Woodley rallied from eight points down
Buckley used his size and explosiveness to control the opening period. Woodley responded by tightening his positioning, scoring at the edge and eventually turning the match with takedowns and exposure points.
By the end, Woodley had transformed an 8-0 deficit into a 14-8 victory.
The performance immediately reminded fans why wrestling was such an important part of Woodley’s development. Long before the UFC title, he was a two-time NCAA Division I All-American at the University of Missouri.
The win meant more than a return to wrestling
After the match, Woodley spoke about how meaningful it was to stage a comeback in competition. His previous years had included difficult results across MMA and boxing, making the RAF victory a significant moment in his latest competitive chapter.
Woodley also praised Buckley afterward and said he believed the UFC contender had championship-level potential. Rather than treating the match strictly as a rivalry, he discussed the possibility of helping Buckley improve parts of his game.
The victory set up a much bigger challenge
The RAF 12 win led directly into Woodley’s September matchup with Khamzat Chimaev in Moscow. That match gave Woodley an opportunity to test his wrestling against another fighter known for elite grappling pressure.
Even after spending years away from collegiate-style competition, Woodley’s comeback against Buckley showed that his ability to adjust during a match remained intact. It also gave the latest phase of his career a signature moment that can stand on its own rather than simply relying on highlights from his UFC championship years.
Sources: MMA Fighting RAF 12 results, August 22, 2026; The Ariel Helwani Show, August 24, 2026.