Tag: Darren Till

Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Ireland Draws the Scorn of Darren Till “Ireland wins every time”

Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Ireland Draws the Scorn of Darren Till "Ireland wins every time"Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has reignited his rivalry with Ireland and its fighters after making controversial remarks…

Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Ireland Draws the Scorn of Darren Till "Ireland wins every time"

Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has reignited his rivalry with Ireland and its fighters after making controversial remarks about the state of Irish MMA. Speaking in a recent interview with the PFL, Nurmagomedov downplayed Ireland’s contributions to mixed martial arts, claiming its talent pool pales in comparison to that of his native Dagestan.

Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Ireland

“Ireland don’t have fighters, brother,” Khabib Nurmagomedov said. “Let’s be honest. How many fighters do you know from Ireland? Paul Hughes and Conor [McGregor], and who else? There is no fighter, brother.” He went further, comparing the skill levels between the two regions: “Dagestan level of MMA [is] here,” he said, gesturing high, “but Ireland level? Not even half of Dagestan level.”

Khabib’s comments come just weeks before a major clash between his cousin, Usman Nurmagomedov, and Ireland’s Paul Hughes for the Bellator lightweight title on January 25, 2025. The fight has already been dubbed “Dagestan vs. Ireland 2.0,” a callback to the heated Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor bout at UFC 229 in 2018.

Paul Hughes wasted no time firing back. Responding to Khabib’s remarks, he said, “Just wait till I get my hands on yo boy,” in a pointed message aimed at Usman Nurmagomedov.

Darren Till

Among the voices reacting to Khabib’s statements was former UFC contender Darren Till, who came to Ireland’s defense. Till, known for his bluntness, pointed out the impressive achievements of Irish MMA despite the country’s small population.

“I’ve always respected Khabib and his team; they are fantastic fighters,” Till said. “But for him to sit there and say fighters from Ireland are low-level? Considering the size difference between Russia and Ireland, Ireland is actually way ahead.

“Ireland is so fing small, and Russia is so fing big. Ireland has produced amazing fighters over the years. Just based on size and production, Ireland wins every time. This is not me being biased—I’m not friends with Khabib’s side or Ireland’s side—I’m just stating my opinion.”

Coach Khabib Nurmagomedov

Khabib’s remarks have reignited a long-standing tension between Dagestan and Ireland in MMA, drawing strong reactions from fans and fighters alike. While some view his comments as an extension of his rivalry with McGregor. The upcoming Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes fight is now under even greater scrutiny.

Darren Till Gets New Opponent For Misfits Boxing Debut After Tommy Fury’s Withdrawal

Former UFC welterweight title challenger Darren Till will still be making his combat sports return next month. Since departing mixed martial arts’ leading promotion following a defeat to then-future middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis, which left him 1-5 across six fights since a main event win over Stephen Thompson, “The Gorilla” hasn’t been too active […]

Former UFC welterweight title challenger Darren Till will still be making his combat sports return next month.

Since departing mixed martial arts’ leading promotion following a defeat to then-future middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis, which left him 1-5 across six fights since a main event win over Stephen Thompson, “The Gorilla” hasn’t been too active outside the cage.

His return came this past July in Dubai, where he faced Mohammad Mutie in an exhibition boxing match. The bout ended controversially after some rabbit punches to the back of Mutie’s head saw him choose not to continue, sparking a brawl with the Liverpudlian.

Months later, it was announced that Till would be kicking off his 2025 in a more high-profile spot, headlining the Misfits Boxing event on Jan. 18 against Tommy Fury. But “TNT,” who has already boxed both Jake Paul and KSI, withdrew recently due to fears of Till engaging in MMA tactics — a threat the former UFC star made at the press conference.

While that left Till’s status on the card uncertain, a replacement opponent has been confirmed. The promotion announced Sunday that ex-Bellator fighter and Misfits veteran Anthony Taylor will step in to face “The Gorilla” at Manchester’s Co-op Live.

The main event will be contested at heavyweight for a maximum of eight rounds.

Though Taylor has risen to prominence as part of the influencer boxing game, his combat sports tenure started out with 11 professional outings as a mixed martial artist.

With that in mind, perhaps he’ll be better suited to any “MMA tactics” Till will bring to the ring than Fury.

Tommy Fury Cancels Darren Till Boxing Match After Former UFC Fighter’s ‘Kicking’ Threats

Tommy Fury has withdrawn from his upcoming boxing match with former UFC title challenger Darren Till due to his concerns about the fight. The two men were set to meet in a main event bout at Manchester’s Co-Op Live Arena on a Misfits and DAZN card. During their recent press conference to promote the fight, […]

Tommy Fury has withdrawn from his upcoming boxing match with former UFC title challenger Darren Till due to his concerns about the fight. The two men were set to meet in a main event bout at Manchester’s Co-Op Live Arena on a Misfits and DAZN card.

During their recent press conference to promote the fight, Till made remarks that if he was losing the contest, he would get himself disqualified by choosing to kick Fury instead. In a post on social media, Fury claimed that for this reason, he isn’t going ahead with the fight.

“I can’t believe I’m writing this but I am now not fighting Darren Till on January 18th 2025. For the one simple reason being that Darren has stated over and over that he does not want to abide by professional boxing rules and that if he is loosing the fight he will resort to kicking and other stupid MMA tactics. I am a professional boxer, I have been out of the ring for over a year and I wanted to be a great BOXING fight for the fans. I have wasted weeks in training camp. We are working hard to get a new opponent and date. I promise to get a better opponent and fight for you guys. Good news around the corner.”

Till has since responded via several social media posts and videos where he heavily criticized Fury for withdrawing from the fight for this reason when he was simply trying to sell the fight and hasn’t said anything similar since. He also called out Jake Paul, claimed that Fury was never going to fight on that date in the first place and said that he will be staying on the January 18 card in Manchester with a new opponent currently being searched for.

VIDEO: John Fury Goes Back & Forth With Darren Till, Sparks Near-Brawl At Misfits Boxing Press Conference

By now, it’s crystal clear — John Fury and public events are a recipe for chaos every time. On Tuesday, Fury Sr. joined his son, Tommy Fury, and former UFC star Darren Till on stage at the kickoff press conference for their Misfits Boxing showdown, scheduled for January 2025 in Manchester. The atmosphere at the […]

By now, it’s crystal clear — John Fury and public events are a recipe for chaos every time.

On Tuesday, Fury Sr. joined his son, Tommy Fury, and former UFC star Darren Till on stage at the kickoff press conference for their Misfits Boxing showdown, scheduled for January 2025 in Manchester.

The atmosphere at the presser intensified when “The Gorilla” fired a barb at John’s other son, Tyson Fury, mocking his first career loss to Oleksandr Usyk in their undisputed heavyweight title bout this past May.

Fury Sr. didn’t take the jab lightly and, consumed by rage, flung a bottle of water at Till, triggering a chaotic, melee-like scene. Security quickly intervened to disperse the escalating tension while Till aggressively pushed forward to confront the Furys.

Fury and Till are set to face off in an eight-round heavyweight showdown, headlining Misfits Boxing 20 on Jan. 18 at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England.

“TNT” is coming off a dominant unanimous decision victory over social media sensation KSI at the MF & DAZN: X Series 10 event in October 2023, which came on the heels of his narrow split decision win against Jake Paul. Fury remains undefeated, boasting a perfect 10-0 professional record, with four of those victories coming by knockout.

Meanwhile, “The Gorilla” made his squared circle debut at Social Knockouts 3 in July, facing off in a chaotic bout against Mohammad Mutie that escalated into a takedown and an all-out brawl inside the ring.

Stephen A. Smith’s Take On Jones vs. Aspinall Infuriates Former UFC Fighter: ‘Ban This Man From Speaking’ 

Sports television personality Stephen A. Smith sees UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones as the “best on the planet” and can’t picture anybody getting the better of him, Tom Aspinall included. Smith provided his reaction to Jones’ latest performance — a TKO victory over Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 309 — on a […]

Sports television personality Stephen A. Smith sees UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones as the “best on the planet” and can’t picture anybody getting the better of him, Tom Aspinall included.

Smith provided his reaction to Jones’ latest performance — a TKO victory over Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 309 — on a recent episode of First Take alongside Shannon Sharpe on ESPN.

The former light heavyweight kingpin added a first successful heavyweight defense to his record at Madison Square Garden, stopping the returning Miocic with a brutal spinning side kick to the body in round three.

No sooner had Jones had his hand raised in “The Big Apple,” talk turned to a much-awaited title unification fight with interim champ Aspinall, who was cageside at MSG after weighing in as backup for the main event last Friday.

But while Jones’ repeated dismissal of the Brit has led some to suggest he fears defeat, Smith isn’t entertaining that as a possibility.

“I think he’s the best on the planet. He’s the greatest in MMA that I’ve ever seen,” Smith said. “I’ve always said to everybody, you’ve got to show me to make me believe that somebody’s going to beat Jon ‘Bones’ Jones, ’cause I just don’t see it happening. He’s just too elite.”

When a clip of his remarks was posted on X, Aspinall’s fellow countryman, ex-UFC title challenger Darren Till, made his thoughts on Smith clear…

“Stephen A Smith has the IQ of a mole,” Till wrote. “Please ban this man from ever speaking about anything ever again.”

Smith has previously caught the ire of the MMA community, most notably when he suggested Donald Cerrone “didn’t want to be there” when he was blitzed by Conor McGregor in 40 seconds at UFC 246.

Former UFC Title Challenger Darren Till Set To Box Tommy Fury At Misfits Event

Former UFC welterweight and middleweight contender Darren Till will be returning to the boxing ring, this time making his professional debut. Till, who competed unsuccessfully for the 170-pound gold on MMA’s biggest stage, will face Tommy Fury on Jan. 18 in the main event of a Misfits Boxing card at the Co-op Live in Manchester, […]

Former UFC welterweight and middleweight contender Darren Till will be returning to the boxing ring, this time making his professional debut.

Till, who competed unsuccessfully for the 170-pound gold on MMA’s biggest stage, will face Tommy Fury on Jan. 18 in the main event of a Misfits Boxing card at the Co-op Live in Manchester, England.

Ariel Helwani broke the news on social media this weekend.

Till competed in a boxing ring for the first time earlier this year, defeating Mohammad Mutie at an event in Dubai. The bout was infamous for Mutie being ruled unable to continue due to an injury from what appeared to be rabbit shots to the back of the head, but the two continued to brawl after the bout was declared over.

Darren Till To Make Professional Boxing Debut Against Tommy Fury

Till was once a rising English prospect who joined the UFC as an undefeated fighter in 2015. “The Gorilla” went 5-0-1 to start his UFC run, which included wins over Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone and Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson.

That earned him a welterweight title shot against Tyron Woodley at UFC 228, which the Scouser lost via second-round submission.

Till went on to get knocked out by Jorge Masvidal in upset fashion, marking the start of “Gamebred’s” sudden rise to superstardom. The Brit then rebounded with a decision win over Kelvin Gastelum in his middleweight debut, but he was unable to continue that winning form at 185 pounds.

“The Gorilla’s” UFC run ended with three straight losses against Robert Whittaker, Derek Brunson, and current middleweight champ Dricus Du Plessis.

The 10-0 Fury, meanwhile — the half-brother of former WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury — will be fighting after being inactive throughout 2024. “”TNT” handed Jake Paul his sole boxing loss in February 2023 before a decision win over KSI eight months later.