Tyron Woodley’s trip to Moscow for his RAF matchup with Khamzat Chimaev ended with an airport story that had the former UFC champion wondering how long he might be stuck in Russia.
During his September 16, 2026 appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Woodley described going through multiple security checks while leaving the country. He said a member of his traveling group had a passport taken and was told to sit down, which immediately changed the mood of the trip.
Woodley says the delay lasted well over an hour
Woodley explained that his own passport was later taken during another stage of the security process. With international travel advisories already on his mind, he said the uncertainty made the wait feel much more serious than an ordinary airport delay.
Woodley said he and his friend sat through the process for roughly an hour or more. He had arrived at the airport several hours early, which ultimately helped them avoid missing their flight.
An unexpected photo request broke the tension
One of the strangest moments came when an airport worker called Woodley over. According to Woodley, the worker ultimately wanted a photo because a family member was a fan. The interaction eased some of his concern, although the group still had to wait before being cleared to leave.
Woodley said everyone in his group eventually made the flight. He also recalled another traveler nearby dealing with a longer delay, which reinforced how uncertain the situation felt in the moment.
The trip still left Woodley with a positive impression of Moscow
Despite the airport experience, Woodley spoke positively about the city, the food and the reception he received from fans during the event. He said the wrestling crowd was much larger and more enthusiastic than he expected.
The story adds another layer to Woodley’s recent return to international competition. His RAF run has taken him from a comeback win over Joaquin Buckley in the United States to a high-profile matchup with Chimaev in Moscow, giving the latest chapter of his career a very different feel from a traditional UFC comeback.
Source: The Ariel Helwani Show / Uncrowned, September 16, 2026.