(Photo: Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Former UFC champion Tyron Woodley doesn’t hold back.

In a wide-ranging interview, Woodley made a series of bold predictions about the future of the UFC – from rising stars to potential superfights – including a massive claim about Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson.

I’m talking to TalkSPORT BETT, Woodley said Steveson won’t just succeed in MMA – he’ll dominate.

“Destroys Tom Aspinall”

Woodley believes Steveson has immediate championship potential and could even dethrone heavyweight king Tom Aspinall.

Gable Stevenson will become UFC champion – he destroys Tom Aspinall

If true, it would mark one of the fastest rises to the top in UFC history.

Topuria compared to McGregor

Woodley also made a huge statement about Ilia Topuria, predicting that he could surpass world famed Conor McGregor.

Ilia Topuria will be a bigger star than Conor McGregor

He didn’t stop there – Woodley also expects Topuria to dominate unsafe opponents.

Topuria defeats Gaethje in two rounds – Gaethje was hit too many times

Robust opinions on the White House card

Woodley also addressed the “White House card” rumors and didn’t mince his words about Josh Hokit.

Josh Hokit will add “gallons of shame” to the White House card

He also suggested a favorable matchup for Michael Chandler:

Michael Chandler should have an effortless fight on the White House card – as should Bobby Green

Jake Paul, Ngannou and Diaz

Woodley delivered a surprising take on the crossover fights involving Jake Paul.

Jake Paul has a better chance of beating Ngannou than Anthony Joshua

Jake Paul defeats “snail-paced” Nate Diaz in an MMA fight

Other key predictions

Woodley also touched on some major names from the sports world:

No one should tell Israel Adesanya when to retire

Sean Strickland won’t solve Khamzat Chimaev’s Rubik’s Cube

Why is this being paid attention to?

Woodley’s comments stand out because they challenge current narratives:

• Backing an unproven UFC newcomer to dominate the heavyweight division
• The prediction of the world’s novel superstar may surpass McGregor’s
• Taking a controversial stance on crossover fights

Whether fans agree or not, one thing is clear – these predictions are sparking debate throughout the MMA world.

Tyron Woodley: ‘Future champion’ Gable Stevenson ‘tortures’ Tom Aspinall, Josh Hokit will add ‘gallons of shame’ to White House card and Jake Paul has a better chance of beating Ngannou than Anthony Joshua

Gable Stevenson will become UFC champion – he destroys Tom Aspinall

Gabe Stevenson will become heavyweight champion. If he wants, he can do it this year. Tom Aspinall will now be tortured by Gable. Tom looked sloppy compared to Ciryl Gane before he was poked in the eye. Gable has powerful hands, all his fights are finished. He has crazy wrestling and crazy athletic ability. He’s hungry. Do you think he’s still ecstatic that he lost the NCAA Championship in the last 3 seconds? Hell no. I don’t see a heavyweight fight in the UFC right now that he doesn’t win.

Ilia Topuria will be a bigger star than Conor McGregor

I think Topuria will become bigger than Conor. He made a deal with Richard Mille. He collaborated with Cristiano Ronaldo. He shut down Spain and now he’s beating all our legends, our GOATs, our BMFs and our champions. He goes through everyone and tells us he will do it before he does it. Then he does it. He doesn’t say much, he doesn’t question much, he even hid his personal affairs. He’s tidy, wears a suit, trains tough, and is a no-nonsense, down-to-earth person who speaks excellent English and excellent Spanish. He is the biggest star.

Josh Hokit will add “gallons of shame” to the White House card

What does Josh Hokit add to the White House card? Hokit is seven gallons of cringe in a five-gallon jug. This is annoying. And you know he practiced it at home, thinking people would like it. They won’t love it. Nobody wants to hear things like that. But was it worth getting a spot on the White House card? Probably.

Hokit is getting on my nerves. The fight was good, but when a fighter like that wins, I say “oh no”, now he takes the microphone and starts saying corny lines.

Jake Paul has a better chance of beating Ngannou than Anthony Joshua

I know Jake Paul won’t hesitate to fight Ngannou. I think that’s why they invite Francis to appear on MMA on Netflix. Jake will be a better boxer than Francis, but power will be an issue. Jake Paul has a much better chance of beating Ngannou than Anthony Joshua. You have to be still for Francis to hurt you. But Francis has power. However, we don’t know how Jake will react to returning from injury.

Jake Paul defeats “snail-paced” Nate Diaz in an MMA fight

Jake vs. Nate in MMA? It’s a good fight, but it will be the same as a boxing fight. Nate looks too snail-paced and has no power. Jake will hit him with MMA gloves rather than boxing gloves, so the impact will be louder. I don’t really see Nate taking Jake down or beating him, so how will he even operate jiu-jitsu? Do I think Jake beats Nate in MMA? Unfortunately, yes.

Topuria defeats Gaethje in two rounds – Gaethje was hit too many times

Unfortunately, I say this is a second round fight. Gaethje is very tough, but he just got hit too tough, man, I’m being straightforward. His fighting style is to just come and fight. We forget that he is a Greek American wrestler. But when will he ever start using supplies? There were many fights where he should have used wrestling. There isn’t and it isn’t. Maybe, but he won’t.

Is there a chance for a hole puncher? Yes, because he is clever. It looks a little sloppy, but it’s one of the best. He and Yoel Romero are two of IQ’s most underrated fighters because without you knowing, they change their weight really quickly and transmit so much power so quickly. That’s why they’re always so unsafe.

No one should tell Israel Adesanya when to retire

I don’t even like Adesanya, but I really respect him when he said, “I’m devastated, but I lost and it happens.” One day you fucking asshole, the next day you wake up and you’re losing. No non-player, no one other than family or coaches should ever influence whether a player should retire or not. This conversation is not for people who don’t do this work.

Let him do whatever he wants. If you want to keep fighting, he’s still a great fighter, he just needs to realize that these kids have been watching him for five years, watching him, shadow boxing in front of the TV, while he fought someone else.

Michael Chandler should have an effortless fight on the White House card – as should Bobby Green

Chandler fights in the last minute, fights with injury, fights often. He’s exhilarating, he’s tired, he’ll give it his all. Even if he fails strategically. I don’t like Ruffy fighting over Chandler. I like the easier fight for Chandler. I think he deserved it. I don’t think he should be in all these fights where he has to keep proving what he has already proven. I think he should be rewarded for all his behavior; accepting last minute fights, battling injuries and fighting the likes of Paddy Pimblett where he built their brand. I feel like he should get Bobby Green or someone like that.

Sean Strickland won’t solve Khamzat Chimaev’s Rubik’s Cube

Strickland won’t know how to solve a Rubik’s Cube with Khamzat. He can’t.

I would try to make it a fight like Forrest Griffin had when he won the title. He just made a mess and just tried to wear him down. And I really think Khamzat will get tired.

She has to weather this storm, give him blows and blows that raise the volume, and then try to push him and get into his head a little, irritate him a little. I’m giving him a chance. You will never miss such a person. He won’t go there thinking he’ll lose. I promise you this.

Although he is a fool, look at how he fights with people. And he’s good at mental games.