Sean Woodson

Sean Lawrence Woodson (born June 7, 1992) is an American mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

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.

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 on October 18, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 6. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Woodson was expected to face Kyle Nelson on June 27, 2020, at UFC on ESPN 12. 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 18. 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 189. 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 on August 20, 2022, at UFC 278. He fought to a split draw decision.

Woodson was scheduled to face Steve Garcia 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 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.

Woodson faced Jack Jenkins on August 29, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 286. He won the fight by split decision.

Championships and accomplishments Amateur Boxing Won boxing’s coveted Golden Gloves competition at light heavyweight

Mixed martial arts record Win

Jack Jenkins Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Nurmagomedov vs. Song

Shanghai, China Loss

Dan Ige TKO (punches) UFC 314

Miami, Florida, United States Win

Fernando Padilla TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Covington vs. Buckley

Tampa, Florida, United States Win

Alex Caceres Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Lewis vs. Nascimento

St. Louis, Missouri, United States Win

Charles Jourdain Decision (split) UFC 297

Toronto, Ontario, Canada Win

Dennis Buzukja Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Font

Nashville, Tennessee, United States Draw

Luis Saldaña Draw (split) UFC 278

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States Win

Collin Anglin TKO (punches to the body) UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Rodríguez

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Youssef Zalal Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Julian Erosa Submission (D'Arce choke) UFC on ESPN: Poirier vs. Hooker

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Kyle Bochniak Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Weidman

Boston, Massachusetts, United States Win

Terrance McKinney KO (flying knee) Dana White's Contender Series 21

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Rashard Lovelace Decision (unanimous) Shamrock FC 311

St. Louis, Missouri, United States Win

Seth Basler Decision (unanimous) Shamrock FC 295

St. Louis, Missouri, United States Win

Rashard Lovelace Decision (unanimous) Shamrock FC 290

St. Louis, Missouri, United States Win

Coltin Cole TKO (punches) Shamrock FC 283

St. Louis, Missouri, United States Win

Kevin Brown Jr. Submission (guillotine choke) RFA 44

St. Charles, Missouri, United States Kickboxing record