Tyron Woodley: Strikeforce told me that they're going to give me an opportunity and to this day, they've done everything they said they were going to do. They told me they were going to give me a chance to get my face out there on Showtime and get some fans behind me. I have the opportunity to grow as a fighter and eventually fight some of the best guys in the world. I don't have anything holding me back because Strikeforce has come through on everything they've said so I'm training and preparing myself to cash in on the opportunity.

FiveKnuckles.com: You tried out for The Ultimate Fighter Season 9 and made it down to the wire. Were you disappointed in not being selected?

Tyron Woodley: I was definitely surprised to be honest. I thought I was one of the better guys as far as talent is concerned. Personality wise, I thought I was okay too. You never know what those guys are thinking though. I think in the minds of the producers there were some other individuals that stuck out more than I did as far as reality television goes, which is fine. It goes back to fighters being real. I think a lot of fighters are under the impression that people are going to tune in to see how stupid they can act on television. From what I understand, the reason for the show was intended to find out who the next UFC champion might be. Don't get me wrong, the Ultimate Fighter provides a lot of opportunity and the show has been a stepping stone for many fighters, but if they didn't select me for reasons out of my control, then there's no need for me to be upset.

FiveKnuckles.com: Are you still interested in fighting in the UFC down the road?

Tyron Woodley: Right now I'm under contract with Strikeforce. I think what they're doing for me now almost equates to being on the Ultimate Fighter. I got six fights with Strikeforce. I got one down and five to go. At this point, there's not a ton of money involved for me. I have to prove myself for that to be the case. In the meantime, the fans get to see me on Showtime and I don't have to leave the comfort of my home for six weeks to be around guys who probably don't have the same goals as I do. Not to say that's the case with all of them, but I'm happy now with my situation because I can pick and choose who I want to be around me and my opportunity to fight is going to be there.

FiveKnuckles.com: Do you enjoy training with the guys over at American Top Team?

Tyron Woodley: I fit in pretty good with the guys down there. I just got a text message from Thiago [Alves]; they're going to match him up with a tough opponent so he's going to need me down there to spar with him and get him ready because my style can help him out. I've been training with those guys for some time now and I just recently signed on with them to make it official. I've always represented American Top Team going back to my first fight. I had their banner in my corner then and I'll continue on with it. The first gym...