UFC 278: Sean Woodson Disappointed to Sit Out After First UFC Finish, Ready to Keep the Ball Rolling

Featherweight Sean Woodson is looking to keep his momentum going after a layoff.

Following a nine-month stint on the sidelines, Woodson (9-1) returns to action at UFC 278. He faces Luis Saldana in what could be an easy Fight of the Night candidate.

Woodson is riding a two-fight win streak, the first winning streak in his young UFC career. In November last year, he finished Colin Anglin via TKO and picked up his first UFC finish.

It was a massive night for “The Sniper,” but unfortunately, he had to sit on the sidelines after his most significant win due to an injury, which definitely disappointed him.

“Yeah, it was tough. It was tough,” Woodson told Cageside Press in an exclusive interview recently. “It was such a weird thing because I was coming off a win and amazing performance, but eventually, it felt like I was coming off a loss. You know, when you’re coming off a loss, like, you’re really angry and want to get back in there. That was me. I just was so mad that I got injured again, and I couldn’t build on that momentum.”

“I had so much fun in there that night. I wanted to turn around and get back in there again that night. But then having to know that okay, I gotta get over this injury, and now I got to sit on the sidelines and wait while the division passed me by; it was just really frustrating. The only thing I could do was look at the positive side of things. So I was just like, ‘you know what, I could have gone in there and broke my hand and lost that fight and had been having to deal with that this whole time.’ So I guess when I think about the big grand scheme of things, I’m still blessed to be where I’m at.”

“Just know, I’m looking to put on an even better performance than last time,” Woodson added.

On top of finally returning to action, the 30-year-old is beyond excited to fight in front of a crowd again. It’s been three years since he’s been in front of a crowd, only doing so in his UFC debut against Kyle Bochinak.

“Oh, man, super excited to be in front of a crowd. It was a while ago when I made my debut and fought in front of a crowd. But I remember like it was yesterday, something I will never forget,” Woodson said. “You know, I’ve fought at the apex a few times now, and I’m all for either one of them. I don’t dislike fighting at the Apex. But the crowd definitely brings a different type of energy. I’m really excited to feel that again. I’m really excited to go in there and put on a performance in front of the crowd. It definitely is a different type of energy.”

Sean Woodson vs. Luis Saldana goes down this Saturday on the UFC 278 prelims on ABC/ESPN.