Darren Till Embraces Extreme Violence in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Move
Former UFC title contender Darren Till has opened up about his passion for extreme violence and his critical assessment of the UFC's current trajectory in an exclusive interview. The fighter, known as "The Gorilla," has signed a multi-fight deal with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), a promotion partially owned by Conor McGregor that represents one of combat sports' most brutal formats.
A Natural Fit for Violence
Darren Till revealed that his move to BKFC feels like a perfect match for his fighting philosophy. "In terms of being violent and loving violence, I'll be honest, I don't think you could find more of a suited person for bare knuckle," Till stated emphatically. "There's nothing I love more on Earth than fighting. It's in my blood. I love extreme violence."
The fighter clarified that while he embraces combat, he doesn't take pleasure in seeing permanent injuries. "Obviously I don't like to see people permanently hurt or stuff like that, that's not my thing. But I do genuinely just love violence," he explained, describing the BKFC opportunity as "a no brainer" that aligns perfectly with his martial arts journey.
Departure from Misfits and Career Resurgence
Till emphasized that his exit from Misfits Boxing occurred on "great terms" and may not be permanent. The crossover boxing promotion had provided the Liverpudlian fighter with a much-needed career resurgence following his UFC decline. During his time with Misfits, Till remained undefeated across three bouts, including a stoppage victory against former UFC champion Luke Rockhold in August.
Originally scheduled for another fight in Qatar, Till's plans were disrupted by Middle East conflicts that affected both his personal and professional arrangements. When BKFC presented an offer during this period, Till found it "impossible to turn down," leading to his departure from what he described as a "very understanding" Misfits organization.
Critical Assessment of UFC's Current State
The 33-year-old fighter offered a candid critique of his former promotion, prefacing his comments with respect for UFC president Dana White. "I've got a lot of time and respect for Dana, especially what he has done building the sport," Till acknowledged before expressing his concerns about the organization's current direction.
"My opinion is: I think the UFC's fell off a bit," Till stated bluntly. "I think Dana's got his foot on other things. The fights... for me... [I'm] not enjoying the fights that are being made. I feel there's very few superstars in the UFC at the moment."
Till identified Ilia Topuria, Khamzat Chimaev, and Islam Makhachev as current standout fighters but admitted he has been "switched off by it massively in the past year." He also addressed White's perceived sensitivity to criticism, noting that "someone gives an opinion that Dana doesn't like and you can see it sort of gets on his back a bit."
From UFC Struggles to Renewed Confidence
Till's perspective comes from personal experience with career fluctuations. After beginning his UFC career with a 5-0-1 record between 2015 and 2018, earning a welterweight title shot against Tyron Woodley, his fortunes shifted dramatically. A 1-5 slide followed, including devastating losses to Jorge Masvidal, Derek Brunson, and eventual middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis.
Requesting his release in early 2023 with morale at its lowest, Till has since experienced a remarkable turnaround. "I'd say it's one of the times [I've felt most confident in my career]," he revealed, describing himself as "a slightly more mature Darren Till with confidence" compared to his earlier undefeated but naive self.
Future Opponents and Fantasy Matchups
As Till prepares for his BKFC debut on 30 May in Birmingham, several potential matchups loom on the horizon. His longstanding rivalry with Mike Perry, which dates back to his UFC days and escalated after his 2017 victory over Donald Cerrone, represents a natural confrontation. Perry currently serves as one of BKFC's prominent figures.
"I hope so, I'm signed to his organization now, so I'm sure down the line – maybe at the end of this year – we can make that fight happen," Till said regarding a potential Perry matchup. "Let's just see if him and his manager want it."
When questioned about the ultimate fantasy matchup against BKFC part-owner Conor McGregor, Till remained pragmatic. "I've never really thought about it," he admitted. "Me and Conor are two weight classes apart. He's been out the game a long time."
Despite the logistical challenges, Till didn't completely dismiss the possibility. "If the idea ever got toyed with, yeah I would accept it. But I think for now that's sort of a fantasy fight. Our paths have never really aligned," he explained, emphasizing that he only pursues fights that "make sense" rather than chasing high-profile names for attention.
