Surgery won't stop Woodley from UFC 219 desk; Cruz joins Anik and Rogan on call

Despite today undergoing shoulder surgery to repair a partially torn labrum, UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley will serve as a desk analyst for next’s week’s UFC 219 event.

Woodley rep Malki Kawa earlier posted a picture of his client in the hospital and subsequently confirmed to MMAjunkie that the surgery was a success.

Prayers up to my guy @twooodley he’s prob gonna really make me pay for this picture but ???????…. please help me in wishing the champ a speedy recovery.

A post shared by Malki Kawa (@malkikawa) on Dec 19, 2017 at 6:46am PST

Featuring a women’s featherweight title fight between current champ Cris Cyborg and former women’s bantamweight champ Holly Holm, UFC 219 takes place Dec. 30 at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena. The night’s main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.

A FOX Sports official today told MMAjunkie Woodley (18-3-1 MMA, 8-2-1 UFC) will join Kenny Florian and Karyn Bryant in the FOX Sports studios, while former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz (22-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) will be in Las Vegas to call the fights with Jon Anik and Kenny Florian.

Cruz, of course, was expected to compete on the card against fellow top contender Jimmie Rivera (21-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC). However, a broken arm suffered in training forced Cruz out of the fight, allowing Brazilian slugger John Lineker (30-8 MMA, 11-3 UFC) to take his place in a key bantamweight affair.

Cruz will now be able to offer his insight on a pair of contender that would like to jump in front of him in the championship picture.

For more on UFC 219, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.