Darren Till Sets Sights on Conor McGregor After BKFC Signing
Darren Till has officially joined the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) and is already eyeing a blockbuster showdown with co-owner Conor McGregor. The 33-year-old Liverpudlian inked a multi-fight deal with BKFC this week, marking a significant shift from his previous role as a poster boy for Misfits, where he secured victories over fighters like Anthony Taylor and Luke Rockhold.
Transition to Bare-Knuckle Fighting
Till departed Misfits on amicable terms, expressing a strong desire to dominate the bare-knuckle arena. He is scheduled to make his promotional debut on May 30 at BKFC 90 in Birmingham, with his opponent yet to be announced. This move is expected to attract a new audience to the sport, as Till aims to make rapid strides in BKFC by targeting top-tier competitors.
McGregor on the Hit List
High on Till's wish list is a fight against Conor McGregor, who co-owns BKFC. McGregor has been inactive since suffering a leg break in his 2021 defeat to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. The former two-time UFC champion is planning a return to action later this year, with two fights remaining on his current UFC contract before he can explore other options. McGregor has previously shown interest in competing in BKFC, setting the stage for a potential clash.
Till humorously remarked on the prospect, stating, "I used to want to punch Dana sometimes," before adding, "Yeah, look, if it ever presents itself to me to fight him (McGregor), obviously me and him would make for a great stadium fight, money fight, stuff like that." He emphasized that any such bout would require substantial compensation, saying, "Gotta pay me well, though. Gotta pay me really well."
Rivalry with Mike Perry
Beyond McGregor, Till is particularly focused on settling a long-standing feud with Mike Perry. The rivalry has simmered for nearly a decade, and Perry, undefeated in BKFC and holder of the symbolic 'King of Violence championship,' is a prime target. Till expressed his ambition, saying, "Obviously, the ultimate goal is to face Mike Perry, everyone wants to see that fight happen. So I think he is the 185 or welterweight champ, I'm not too sure. So, yeah, the ultimate goal would just be to go and grab his belt."
Other Potential Opponents
Till also has his sights set on former UFC stars Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal. A rematch with Masvidal is especially appealing, as Till seeks revenge for his 2019 loss in London. He noted, "I'd love a Nate Diaz or a Masvidal to come over, obviously get my revenge on Masvidal, so, I'm sure it can happen." Till acknowledged the need to familiarize himself with the BKFC roster, stating, "I've got to do a lot of studying now and find out who's who and what's what."
His upcoming debut is viewed as a tune-up fight to adapt to the bare-knuckle format, but Till is determined to pursue high-stakes matches thereafter. He concluded, "This is just life. Yeah, I will have a few soon, leading up on my hit list."
