Welterweight prospect Darren Till will square off against former a two-time welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson on May 27 at UFC Liverpool.
Stephen who signed a new deal with UFC ahead of his main event clash with Darren Till. However “Wonderboy” is content with his new contract, he isn’t happy about not being given a shot at the interim welterweight title, which will be on the line when Rafael dos Anjos meets Colby Covington on June 9 at UFC 225. Instead, UFC slated him with Till.
Thompson is No.1 ranked welterweight in the UFC, Till now up to seven following his impressive KO win over Donald Cerrone in October. Till has a big future ahead of him, which promotion and Thompson are well aware of.
Because of Thompson’s lack of excitement, and lack of other possible fights, Darren Till feels ‘Wonderboy’ isn’t too thrilled about this matchup.
‘The Gorilla’ has amassed a professional record of 16-0-1 up to this point. Till now faces his toughest fight yet against Stephen Thompson. A victory would likely see Till compete for the title in the future.
Speaking to MMANYTT, Till said he believes his 35-year-old opponent, who came up short twice against division’s champion wasn’t too overjoyed being taking the fight with him: (Via BloodyElbow)
“I think ’cause [Wonderboy] didn’t want to take this fight he’s been talking a bit more out of tame lately. Not bad, ’cause you know, he’s not a shit talker, he’s not a bad person he’s a nice guy. But just ’cause I feel like he was forced into this fight he didn’t want to take it. But he’s still comin’, and he’s comin’ to beat me on home turf and we’ll see, mate.”
“I truly believe I’m gonna stop him in the second. It wouldn’t surprise me if the first. I truly believe I’m gonna stop Stephen Thompson. He might say otherwise, you know, get off me high horse, ‘kid, you’re not experienced like I am’. He can say what he wants to say.”
“There’s no 35-year old man out there who can f-ckin’ last more than three rounds with a guy like me right now,” he said.
Thompson last fought at UFC 217 where he earns a unanimous decision over Jorge Masvidal.
Till has every reason to be confident in his striking ability. The ‘Gorilla’ has won 10 of his 16 contests by knockout/TKO.
Do you think Till will live up to his prediction of putting Thompson to sleep in two rounds?
