Tyron Woodley opened up about his experience on Cobra Kai and how it changed how fans see him. The role has led to the former UFC welterweight champion gaining more opportunities in the entertainment industry.
Cobra Kai was a series that served as a direct sequel to The Karate Kid franchise. It began streaming on YouTube Red before moving to Netflix from season 3 onward. The series became one of the streaming giant’s most popular shows, generating millions of viewers each season. Given its broad audience, Woodley had a chance to grow his following outside of MMA.
The former UFC welterweight champion joined the cast in season 5, playing the role of Sensei Odell. Woodley’s character is introduced as one of Terry Silver’s senseis who is called upon to help expand his dojo.
‘The Chosen One’ was not the only UFC fighter to join the cast in a minor role. Erik Anders and Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson also appeared in season 5.
Ex-UFC Champion Tyron Woodley Opens Up About His Cobra Kai Role
Tyron Woodley said he enjoyed his experience on Cobra Kai and expressed gratitude for the impact it had. He noted that kids now approach him and recognize him more for the role than his MMA career.
Since his UFC exit, Woodley has competed in boxing bouts and pursued ventures outside of MMA. The former welterweight champion holds the role in high regard and considers it one of his biggest to date.
“It was amazing. One of the best [shows] I’ve ever done. Also, a lot of people don’t know, I was able to get my son on that. So, like, as a father, I feel really good that I was able to open up another door and show my son something,” Woodley exclusively told Heavy Sports via TalkSPORT BET. [It was] No. 1 on Netflix. I had a great role, played Sensei Odell. And after that, I went on and got some other films because of it, so I’m very grateful.”
He added:
“A lot of young kids know from that. Kids walk up to me and call me Sensei Odell.”
Woodley Featured in Cobra Kai Season 5 Finale Fight Scene
Woodley’s character was heavily featured in the Cobra Kai season 5 finale alongside the series’ main characters. The show, which ended in 2025, was known for their action-packed season finales. Season 5 was no different, featuring a brawl between Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do, as well as another involving their senseis.
In the episode, Johnny Lawrence, Chozen Toguchi, Mike Barnes seek revenge by breaking into Terry Silver‘s home. There, Silver surprises them with his Cobra Kai sensei, including Woodley’s Sensei Odell.
The chaotic action sequences see Silver and Toguchi break off into a one-on-one fight. Meanwhile, Lawrence is forced into a three-on-one situation against Woodley’s character and two other senseis, after Barnes is taken out.
Odell and the other two senseis have the upper hand on Lawrence for the majority of the fight. However, he turns things around and takes down each one of them.
Woodley’s character fared the worst of the three, as his finger is cut off before Lawrence delivers a knockout blow.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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