Darren Till has four names he wants to face before hanging up his boxing gloves and heading back to the UFC in pursuit of a world title.
The scouse fighter’s record in his final UFC years wasn’t glowing, but he always competed around the top of the middleweight and welterweight divisions. In his last fight, he had an exciting back-and-forth battle with Dricus Du Plessis which he was arguably winning before being submitted in the third.
Now, DDP is the seemingly unbeatable champion with wins over the likes of Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker and Sean Strickland. Till opted to leave the sport after their fight and is now pursuing success in the ring; headlining Misfits Boxing’s latest show in Derby on Friday night live on DAZN.
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Darren Till names four-man hitlist for boxing career
Darren Till finally got the chance to make his debut in the main event of Misfits Boxing’s last show at the new Co-Op Live in Manchester back in January. However, it didn’t go exactly to plan as his original opponent Tommy Fury pulled out over fears that he would throw a head kick if losing the fight.
He instead took on Bellator veteran Anthony Taylor, whom he blasted out in six rounds to secure the victory. Now, he takes on former UFC star Darren Stewart in the main event of Misfits 21, after their initially planned meeting in March on the KSI vs Dillon Danis undercard was cancelled.
After this latest tune-up, Till will be turning his attention to the big names, and told Bloody Elbow in an exclusive chat that he has four on his mind. “I think it comes down to Jake Paul, Tommy Fury, KSI and Mike Perry for me,” he explained.
“I think I’d love to fight Jake and KSI, those are big money fights. I’d love the Tommy fight after what he’s done and I think the Mike Perry fight then and I’d probably go off, que sera sera and depending on things in MMA I might try my hand at the PFL or if the UFC want me back then let’s see what happens.”
Darren Till plots UFC return after Misfits Boxing run
Once he is done with his run in the boxing ring, Darren Till has been clear that he intends to return to MMA action. He admits that knee issues and a lack of motivation cost him in the latter years of his career, but after a lengthy break he appeared reinvigorated in his knockout win over Taylor.
“I’m not too old in the sport, my body’s not broken even though I’ve obviously had trouble with my knees but I’m fresh,” he told Bloody Elbow. “I don’t feel like I have any case of that CTE, I pronounce my words properly, I’ve got a solid brain on myself even though I know I say some mad things sometimes.
“That’s just public persona, obviously I’m a mad c— but I don’t think I have any early signs of CTE, or I hope not. So I might go back.”
However, it’s not just the UFC who are interested in his services. Till has spoken with the PFL, and is open to the possibility of heading into their Smart Cage for a go at their bigger names.
“I’ve spoke to the PFL and I like the way they do their organization,” he continued. “I would actually love a bash at it. It just depends then if the UFC would have me back after that, I don’t know. I think I still have a few years left in me.”
Darren Till faces Darren Stewart in the main event of Misfits & DAZN X-Series 21 on Friday May 16. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster, while international viewers can watch as part of the DAZN subscription.