Lloyd Woodard

Background

Woodard was born in Memphis, the third youngest in a family of nine children. At the age of two, his parents divorced resulting in he and his siblings moving in and out of relatives' homes in different regions of the country. While living in South Memphis, Woodard quickly learned to defend himself, being biracial, poor, and having a speech impediment until high school. Woodard also participated in wrestling for three years, excelling at the sport for Hellgate High School in Montana, where he graduated from. Woodard frequented a local boxing gym and also competed in a few amateur mixed martial arts fights before becoming a professional. Woodard stated in a Bellator interview that when he was growing up he went through a "bad kid" phase. His best friend at the time got into an altercation with a former University of Montana basketball player and he and the rest of his friends came to get Woodard, the "tough kid" on the block. They avenged their friend by going to the kid's house and beating him up badly. Woodward said this was the "breaking point" of his life. Although Woodard did not actually participate in the fight, he was convicted of felony burglary and violated his probation after getting in more altercations. After revoking his probation he ended up in a prison boot camp. He added, "I'm glad it happened because I could control my feelings a lot better and have more control of my life."

Early career

Woodard's first amateur MMA match was on March 19, 2005, and he quickly amassed a 4-1 record. Woodard made his professional MMA debut on October 11, 2008 and has made a name for himself by being a "scrappy fighter" with "unorthodox" submission skills. Before signing with Bellator, Woodard amassed a perfect 10-0 record.

Bellator

Lloyd Woodard is currently signed to Bellator, competing in their Lightweight division. Woodard made his Bellator debut at Bellator 36 on March 12, 2011, where he defeated Carey Vanier via TKO. Woodard lost for the first time in his career by decision to future Bellator Lightweight Champion Michael Chandler as a Lightweight semifinalist in the Bellator Season Tournament. In the quarter finals of Bellator's Season 6 Lightweight Tournament, Woodard faced Patricky Freire at Bellator 62. Woodard defeated Freire via submission in a back-and-forth fight. On April 20, 2012, Woodard faced Rick Hawn in the semifinals. Woodard lost the bout via knockout in the second round.

Woodard then participated in the Bellator Season 8 Lightweight Tournament Quarterfinals on January 31, 2013 at Bellator 87 against David Rickels. Woodard lost via unanimous decision.

Post-Bellator

Woodard faced Dave Courchaine at ICF: Intense Cage Fighting 8 on March 22, 2013. Woodard lost via split decision, his third loss in a row. Woodard rebounded with a first-round TKO victory against Jerome Jones at KOTC: Unleashed on February 13, 2014.

Woodard is currently signed to Titan Fighting Championship. He made his debut for the organization against Kurt Holobaugh in a Titan FC Featherweight title eliminator bout on August 22, 2014 at Titan FC 29. He lost via TKO in just 15 seconds of round one. Woodard was expected to face Danny White at GCMMA: Magic City Mayhem 4 on October 14, 2014. However, the bout was cancelled for unknown reasons.