2025 was a great year for former UFC contender Darren Till, and “The Gorilla” is hoping for an even bigger 2206.
After a tough stretch that saw him lose to Robert Whittaker, Derek Brunson, and Dricus Du Plessis, Darren Till requested his release from the UFC and actually got it. His plan, at the time, was to heal up, make some money outside the promotion, and return.
That didn’t really work out too well — Till packed on the pounds, seemed unable to book a fight, and found out the UFC exit door had
lock shut behind him. A ridiculous sham of a fight against Mohammad Mutie in Dubai was all Till had to show after two years outside the promotion. But something changed in 2025: Misfits Boxing picked the Liverpudlian up and kept him busy, fighting him three times.
And Till won all three, including an impressive third round KO of Luke Rockhold in August.
Now Till is hoping to build on that momentum. Speaking to Bloody Elbow at the IBA Elite Mens World Championships in Dubai, he shared big names for the upcoming year.
“I’d love my rematch with Masvidal,” Till said. “I’d love to knock him out because he knocked me out and then we could probably go for the trilogy. It’s the same with [Tyron] Woodley, he submitted me. So I’d love them two fights.”
Till was on an impressive 18 fight win streak (5 in the UFC) when he faced Tyron Woodley in a 2018 welterweight title fight. “T-Wood” would submit him four minutes into the second round, ending Till’s quest for UFC championship gold. Darren’s next fight was even rougher: Jorge Masvidal sparked Till, KOing him badly in the second round of their UFC London main event.
“But then Nate Diaz is also available,” Till added. “He’s probably the biggest fight out of the three I’d love that. Let’s see where it goes, because I’d love the Nate fight as well.”
Diaz was in talks to fight Till in 2025 before Luke Rockhold stepped in as an opponent instead. Nate is currently saying he wants to fight Paddy Pimblett next … which just isn’t realistic. What is realistic? Darren Till. And we gotta hand it to “The Gorilla” — his whole list of potential opponents are realistic options, and interesting match-ups. What a change one year can make!
