The UFC’s 6-foot-2 dark horse featherweight

Sean Woodson has been in the shadows, quietly rising up the ranks of one of the UFC’s most talent-filled divisions.

But on April 12 at UFC 314, Woodson (13-1-1 MMA, 7-1-1 UFC) and his 6-foot-2, 145-pound frame will step fully into the spotlight as he faces his first ranked challenge, promotion-No. 15 Dan Ige[autotag] (18-9 MMA, 10-8 UFC).

“I’ve been patient,” Woodson recently told MMA Junkie. “I’ve had the utmost and belief in myself. I don’t rush sh*t. I don’t rush nothing. I’ve been more than confident that my time will come. I’ve just got to keep putting in the work and staying focused and doing what I do. Eventually, I’ll be undeniable. After this fight, god willing it goes my way, I’ll be right there damn near a 10-fight unbeaten streak.

“2024 was a great year for me. I fought three times. I was 3-0. I feel like it really has me set up for 2024 to really be my year. 2025 is my breakout year, the year where I really make some noise and get everybody talking about me and really force my hand and force the UFC to give me the big fights to lead me to the title.”

Woodson, 32, has done it his way. Frequently asked why he doesn’t compete at a higher weight class with a lesser weight cut, Woodson has stuck to his recipe – and it’s worked. He’s been loyal to those who have been loyal to him. That right there might be the secret to his success.

“I take pride in being a guy who just trains at his hometown, local, no-name gym, sort of say,” Woodson said. “We don’t have a huge reputation. I train at Wolves Den in St. Louis, Missouri and I do my strength and conditioning at Project Deliverance with my guy Matt Owen. Nobody knows about us, but I take pride in that. It’s given me extra motivation to be a guy in his hometown of St. Louis knocking off all these guys from these world class really reputable gyms. I mean that’s pretty much it. That’s something I really hang my hat on is not having the resources that all these other guys have.

“I’m not in one of these big gyms that has 10-20 other UFC fighters day-in and day-out. I’m the only UFC fighter in my gym and I take pride in going around and knocking off all these other guys in big gyms. Those guys who as soon as they get to the UFC and they leave their team and run to go link up with a bunch of other UFC fighters, I think that kind of is my own opinion, but that says something about the confidence in themselves that they have. They need to be in a room with a bunch of other guys who are in the UFC to feel like they are doing the right thing or whatever.”

Woodson is confident he’s headed to the top, but also recognizes the threat that is Ige, a perennially-ranked fighter who very well might have his back against the wall coming off consecutive losses.

“All his losses are to top contenders,” Woodson said. “He’s coming off two losses in a row, but those were against Diego, who is fighting for the title, and Lerone Murphy, who is 15-0. Him losing two in a row is not really that bad coming against those guys. But him losing two in a row, I feel like he knows his back is against the wall. I’m expecting the best Ige to date. I know he’s training hard and really got a chip on his shoulder, not trying to drop three in a row. As fas as his style, he’s known to be super durable. But one thing about being super durable is that you’ve had to show that you’re durable, if that makes sense. The only way you show you’re durable is taking a lot of shots. When I watch his fights, what I notice is that he’s getting hit a lot. He’s getting hit a lot by guys who I don’t feel are the caliber of striker that I am.

“He don’t have the reach that I have. I feel like that’s going to be a big factor in this one. He’s 5-foot-7. I’ve fought guys who are 5-foot-7 before. I feel like he’s the best 5-foot-7 guy I’ve fought but I feel like I’m really going to be able to take advantage of the striking advantage on the feet. I feel like he’s going to try to be pressuring me and try to press me up against the cage and drag me to the floor. But I think that’s what every guy’s game plan is against me. That’s the style I’ve been going up against my whole career and guys I prepare for. He’s the toughest guy I’ve fought to date but I feel I’m more than ready.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 314.