Sean Lawrence Woodson (born June 7, 1992) is an American

mixed martial artist Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting sport based on striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. In the early 20th century, various inter-stylistic contests took place t ...

who currently competes in the

Featherweight Featherweight is a weight class in the combat sports of boxing, kickboxing, mixed martial arts, and Greco-Roman wrestling. Boxing Professional boxing History A featherweight boxer weighs in at a limit of . In the early days of the division, ...

division of the

Ultimate Fighting Championship The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promoter (entertainment), promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority owned subsidiary of Endeavor ( ...

Background

Growing up in North County, Sean Woodson’s dad was the driving inspiration behind his fighting career as his father would watch fights with his son, developing a passion for boxing. His mother had other ideas and took Sean to a trip to the pediatrician at the age of eight, asking the doctor to explain the dangers of boxing. Instead the doctor told her that with headgear, boxing is actually safer than a lot of other sports like football or hockey. Sean's mother then took him to the gym where he fell in love with the sport. As an amateur boxer, he developed a record of 46-3. Following a serious car accident at age sixteen, he ended up living at Matt Hughes’ Hit Squad Gym in Granite City. There, he was introduced to mixed martial arts.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Making his debut at RFA 44, Woodson faced Kevin Brown Jr. and went on to submit him in the first round. Competing under the banner of Shamrock FC, he would win his next four bouts,defeating Coltin Cole at Shamrock FC 283 via TKO in round one, Rashard Lovelace via unanimous decision at Shamrock FC 290, Seth Basler at Shamrock FC 295 via unanimous decision, and finally Lovelace for the second time via unanimous decision at Shamrock FC 311. With 5 days notice and having to cut 24 pounds in that time span, Woodson appeared on Dana White's Contender Series 21, where he faced Terrance McKinney and went on to defeat him via flying knee KO in the second round, earning a contract with the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Woodson made his promotional debut against

Kyle Bochniak Kyle Bochniak (born February 5, 1987) is an Americans, American mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist currently competing in the Featherweight (MMA), Featherweight division. A professional competitor since 2014, he has competed in the Ultimat ...

on October 18, 2019, at UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Weidman. He won the fight via unanimous decision. Woodson was expected to face Kyle Nelson on June 27, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Poirier vs. Hooker. Nelson had to pull out off the bout due to visa issues, and therefore was replaced by Julian Erosa He lost the fight via D'arce choke in the third round. Woodson was scheduled to face Jonathan Pearce on November 28, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Smith vs. Clark. However, Woodson withdrew a week before the event for unknown reasons and was replaced by Kai Kamaka III. Woodson faced Youssef Zalal on June 5, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai. He won the bout via split decision. Woodson faced Collin Anglin on November 13, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 197. He won the bout via TKO in round one. Woodson faced

Luis Saldaña Luis Saldaña (born January 27, 1991) is an American mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist who competed in the Featherweight (MMA), Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Background Having his first boxing match at eight ...

on August 20, 2022, at UFC 278. He fought to a split draw decision. Woodson was scheduled to face

Steve Garcia Estevan Garcia Jr. (born May 22, 1992), known as Steve Garcia, is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He has previously competed in Bellator's bant ...

on August 5, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 225. However, the bout was scrapped after Garcia got injured and Woodson was booked against Jesse Butler. In turn, Butler was removed by the

Nevada Athletic Commission The Nevada State Athletic Commission (also known as the Nevada Athletic Commission or NSAC) regulates all contests and exhibitions of unarmed combat within the state of Nevada, including licensure and supervision of promoters, boxing, boxers, kic ...

during fight week due to a recent knockout loss to Jim Miller in two months earlier. He was replaced by promotional newcomer Mairon Santos. However, due to visa issues, Santos was removed from the bout and replaced with promotional newcomer Dennis Buzukja. Woodson won the bout via unanimous decision. Woodson faced Charles Jourdain on January 20, 2024, at UFC 297. He won the competitive fight by split decision. Woodson faced Alex Caceres on May 11, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 56. He won the fight by unanimous decision. 11 out of 14 media outlets scored the fight for Caceres. Woodson faced Fernando Padilla on December 14, 2024 at UFC on ESPN 63. He won the fight by technical knockout at the end of the first round. Woodson faced Dan Ige on April 12, 2025 at UFC 314. He lost the fight by technical knockout in the third round.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

**Tied ( Movsar Evloev & Lerone Murphy) for fourth longest undefeated streak in UFC Featherweight division history (8)

Amateur Boxing

* Won boxing’s coveted

Golden Gloves The Golden Gloves of America is an organization that promotes annual competitions of amateur boxing in the United States, in which winners are awarded a belt and a ring, and the title of national champion. The organization currently owns 30 fr ...

competition at light heavyweight

Mixed martial arts record

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Miami, Florida Miami is a East Coast of the United States, coastal city in the U.S. state of Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, Florida, Miami-Dade County in South Florida. It is the core of the Miami metropolitan area, which, with a populat ...

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Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas, colloquially referred to as Vegas, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and the county seat of Clark County. The Las Vegas Valley metropolitan area is the largest within the greater Mojave Desert, and second-l ...

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, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 2–0 , Coltin Cole , TKO (punches) , Shamrock FC 283 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:38 ,

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Kickboxing record

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References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Woodson, Sean Living people Featherweight mixed martial artists 1992 births American male mixed martial artists Lightweight mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists utilizing boxing Mixed martial artists utilizing kickboxing Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters American male boxers American male kickboxers American practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu 21st-century American sportsmen