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Ex-UFC star Darren Till reveals losing six-Figure sponsorship due to Venum kit deal: ‘There was no way around it’

Former UFC welterweight Darren Till reveals an eye-watering amount of money that he was forced to walk away from…

Former UFC welterweight Darren Till reveals an eye-watering amount of money that he was forced to walk away from during his UFC career.

While Till never reached the heights in the UFC that was hoped for, even now the 31-year-old’s name still holds value. Always funny and outspoken, Darren Till garnered a following quickly during his time with the promotion – something that any normal athlete would be to fully cash in on.

Darren Till appears in court pleads not guilty to driving charges UFC — Mandatory Credit: Liverpool Echo

However, the UFC has strict advertising rules which means that fighters are restricted in terms of what products they can promote, and when they are able to promote them. For example, fighters are no longer allowed to have sponsors on custom shorts with Venum being the uniform of the UFC.

Darren Till talks missing out on pay through UFC’s deal with Venum

Sponsorships on fight night shorts had proved to be valuable to fighters when they were permitted.

Talking on the Ben Heath Podcast, Till revealed that he was forced to turn down sponsorship offers during the height of his career.

“I know in the past when I was fighting I had massive, massive offers for sponsorship to go on shorts, but I’ve had to turn it down because of Venum, so that’s the only thing where it’s been a bit annoying,” said Darren Till. “This was in the past. They were a construction company, and they were like ‘We want to pay Till this much,’ and I was like ‘what!?’ I was saying to my friend, ‘Is there no way around this? Like I can’t put them on my shorts.’ I had to turn the offer down. That left a little bit of bitterness in my mouth.

Continuing, Till revealed that missed out on six-figure paycheques.

“About $150,000. I was just thinking like UFC pay, and $150,000 on top. I need to do this. There was no way around it,” Till said. “Because talking with the UFC they have that deal in place with Venum. There are no ifs, buts, maybes. You’re in Venum, you’re in Monster, the shoes are Reebok and I just had to turn the deal down.

Venum were paying a main event fighter something like $20,000 or something like that, which I’m not going to turn my nose at that. And at the time my social media was banging, I could have probably gathered three or four more sponsors as well,” Till continued. “So I could’ve walked away with just sponsorship, with, I don’t know, $300,000-$400,000, I know I could’ve gained that. But If I could ever be so critical, which I don’t like being critical, it’d be along that side.”

Who do you think Darren Till should fight in his return to competition?

Ex-UFC champ Israel Adesanya slams Alex Pereira fans while defending his 1-3 record against ‘Poatan’

Israel Adesanya has nothing, but respect for longtime rival Alex Pereira. Pereira’s fans, on the other hand, not so…

Israel Adesanya has nothing, but respect for longtime rival Alex Pereira.

Pereira’s fans, on the other hand, not so much. Or as ‘The Last Stylebender’ likes to call them — “Poatards.”

Adesanya’s iconic rivalry with the reigning UFC light heavyweight world champion started all the way back in 2016 under the GLORY Kickboxing banner. There, Pereira scored back-to-back wins over Adesanya — one, a questionable unanimous decision and the other, an absolutely brutal third-round KO.

They picked up right where they left off inside the Octagon, with ‘Poatan’ finishing Adesanya in the fifth round of their UFC 281 headliner to claim the 185-pound crown.

Looking back on their legendary scraps during a recent appearance on Demetrious Johnson’s YouTube channel, Adesanya couldn’t help but vent his frustration over “casual” MMA fans who continue to ignore the success he had against Pereira despite holding a 1-3 record against the Brazilian.

“People, they’re so f*cking stupid,” Adesanya said. “In this first fight in China, I thought I won. These casuals don’t. These plebs don’t. I thought I won. Even he thought he won until he got his hand raised. The second time, I’m beating his ass and he gets me. Again in New York [at UFC 281], I’m beating him. Rocked him. Took him down, beat him, and he gets me.”

Adesanya finally broke through five months removed from his third-straight loss to Pereira, retaking his middleweight title at UFC 287.

“I just knew that I can beat this guy,” Adesanya added. “It wasn’t about proving it to anyone else. I can beat this guy, so that last Miami one, I was in a different place. I had to tap into some darkness for that camp. People who knew me, I was different. Ain’t no way this motherf*cker is about to beat me four times. It’s about the story. So now I’ve beat him once. How ironic. I beat him once, but watch this. If I fight him again and knock him out, what are they going to say? ‘It’s 3-2. Now it’s best out of seven.’

“I’m 34. I’ve only got a certain amount of fights left. Why am I gonna fight the same guy however many times? I just want to prove it to myself.”

Israel Adesanya is grateful for the time he spent competing against Alex Pereira

Content to leave their series where it stands, Alex Pereira made the move to light heavyweight, earning a split-decision victory over former 205-pound champ Jan Blachowicz. That win set the stage for his world title clash with Jiri Prochazka. In November, the two warriors stepped under the main event spotlight at UFC 295 inside the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden.

There, ‘Poatan’ delivered another highlight-reel-worthy knockout, finishing Prochazka in the second round to claim his second world title in a year.

“He’s a special fighter,” Adesanya said of Pereira. “He’s a special human being. What he’s done in this game — in fighting and what he’s done for his life as well, I’ll always respect him. I’m grateful for those moments because, for me, it taught me so much about myself and where I can go.”

Pereira is fresh off his first successful defense of the light heavyweight belt, dispatching Jamahal Hill in the opening round of their UFC 300 headliner on April 13.

Dan Hooker is down for a BMF title eliminator fight with Bobby Green: ‘I owe it to the fans’

Dan Hooker is down for a BMF title fight, so long as he gets to go through Bobby Green…

Dan Hooker is down for a BMF title fight, so long as he gets to go through Bobby Green first.

With back-to-back wins over Claudio Puelles and Jalin Turner in his last two outings, ‘The Hangman’ is looking to make a summertime return against a big name in the lightweight division.

Speaking with Hyon Ko of The Allstar, Hooker spoke about a potential clash with Beneil Dariush, but if he gets his wish, the UFC will rebook his previously scheduled scrap with 155-pound standout ‘King’ Bobby Green.

Furthermore, Hooker believes that such an electrifying fight could serve as a potential BMF title eliminator.

“You need a BMF [title] eliminator. That’s why I was originally calling for the [Bobby] Green fight,” Hooker said. “That’s originally what it was to the fans. I suggested that like it was a BMF eliminator and there weren’t any fans who had any counterarguments to that. Me and Green would be a heck of a fight. I owe it to the fans and I would love to step in and compete against him and line myself up for the BMF belt.

“After his performance against Jim Miller at UFC 300, Bobby Green’s stock is right back to where it deserves to be and if nothing comes together for International Fight Week, Green’s got two arms and two legs, brother, so he fits the bill, but I’d love to bring him down to Perth and do that one at home. That’ll be cool.”

Dan Hooker Slams Ilia Topuria’s BMF Title Demands

The BMF title currently resides with Max Holloway after ‘Blessed’ delivered the highlight of the night at UFC 300, dispatching Justin Gaethje with an epic buzzer-beating knockout. Following the win, Holloway’s stock rose massively, making him a viable contender in two different divisions.

Asked about his thoughts on Holloway’s last-second KO, Dan Hooker admitted to being blown away by the moment. He also took a dig at Ilia Topuria’s recent BMF title demands, saying:

“Absolutely wild. That’s the danger of the sport. For Max to have it in the bag and put it all on the line, that’s BMF sh*t, you know what I mean? If there’s a ‘but’ in your statement, you’ve immediately disqualified yourself from the BMF conversation. It’s gone over your head if you have to say, ‘I’ll fight him, but…’ If there’s any ifs, buts, or maybes, you’ve disqualified yourself.”

Ryan Clark slams ‘boring’ Aljamain Sterling after Daniel Cormier proposes next BMF title fight

Aljamain Sterling may have gotten the job done, but he left a lot to be desired in his featherweight…

Aljamain Sterling may have gotten the job done, but he left a lot to be desired in his featherweight debut.

After surrendering the bantamweight belt to ‘Sugar’ Sean O’Malley last summer, the ‘Funk Master’ made the move to 145 in search of a new division to conquer. He got off to a good start at UFC 300, scoring a decisive decision victory over top 10 ranked contender Calvin Kattar.

Though fight fans were less than thrilled with Sterling’s grapple-heavy approach, former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier believes his dominant performance made the ‘Funk Master’ a legitimate candidate to challenge for the BMF title — now held by featherweight cornerstone Max Holloway following his buzzer-beating knockout of Justin Gaethje at the landmark event.

“Put ‘Aljo’ in the BMF title fight, yes,” Cormier said on Good Guy/Bad Guy. “If anybody is a BMF, they can do what ‘Aljo’ did at UFC 300. You go up a weight class, you dominate somebody in the grappling like that, that’s a BMF, Ryan. Put ‘Aljo’ in the next title fight.”

Ryan Clark Sounds off on Aljamain Sterling

During the episode, Cormier reunited with his DC & RC co-host, former Pittsburgh Steeler and Super Bowl champion Ryan Clark, who was not afraid to disagree with the UFC Hall of Famer’s BMF title suggestion.

“It is, DC. It’s a ‘boring motherf*cker. That’s what that is,” Clark responded. “That’s what the BMF would stand for if Aljamain Sterling was the new BMF champion.

“I love him. He has to win. You gotta go out and win, that’s why it’s called mixed martial arts. Chael [Sonnen] landed strikes against Anderson Silva and rocked him then Chael took it to the ground and dominated him on the ground. I have no problem with that. Chael is absolutely a BMF. If it is two names that are that big, I am okay with the fight going that way. Just don’t put the belt up. Put the real belt up for that fight. Do not put the BMF up for it” (h/t MMA Mania).

Islam Makhachev calls for division move after UFC 302 return: ‘I already beat everyone at lightweight’

Booked to make his return at UFC 302 at the beginning of June, Islam Makhachev claims if he dispatches…

Booked to make his return at UFC 302 at the beginning of June, Islam Makhachev claims if he dispatches incoming foe, Dustin Poirier in Newark, he immediately wants to test welterweight waters, claiming he’s already cleared out the lightweight division.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight titleholder and current pound-for-pound number one, is slated to make his first outing of the year in June, headlining UFC 302 in a title defense against former interim gold holder, Poirier.

Islam Makhachev set to fight twice this year ahead of expected UFC return — Mandatory Credit: Giuseppe Cacece

Most recently headlining UFC 294, Russian standout, Makhachev dispatched ex-featherweight kingpin, Alexander Volkanovski in the pair’s title rematch, landing a first round high-kick and strikes KO win.

Islam Makhachev eyes welterweight move after UFC 302

And despite finding himself linked with a whole slew of potential future fights at 155lbs, namely a rematch with Arman Tsarukyan, a clash with fellow European talent, Mateusz Gamrot – or a bout with recent BMF title winner, Max Holloway, Makhachev insists he wants a welterweight move after UFC 302.

UFC Saudi Arabia postponed until June amid links to Islam Makhachev comeback fight — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

“Honestly, I don’t have any exciting fights, because Dustin (Poirier) has just [a] one fight winning streak,” Islam Makhachev told The New York Post. “And, we have Arman (Tsarukyan) – but I’ve already beat this guy.”

“I don’t have some job in my division, in my opinion, honestly,” Islam Makhachev explained. “And I think I have chance, they [the UFC] have to give me the chance for a second belt. Because I’ve already beat all the all (sic) guys.”

As for incoming foe, Poirier, the Lousiana native will look to finally capture undisputed lightweight spoils at the third time of trying – earning his title tilt with a second round knockout win over French contender, Benoit Saint Denis in the co-main event of UFC 299 back in March.

Islam Makhachev backed to retire from the UFC by end of next year he's cleared out 155 pounds — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Winning vacant lightweight gold back in 2022, Makhachev snapped the division-record winning run of former champion, Charles Oliveira in the pair’s long-anticipated showcase, locking up an arm-triangle submission win.

Would you like to see Islam Makhachev fight for welterweight gold after UFC 302?

Conor McGregor again backed to fight for 165lbs title against Michael Chandler at UFC 303: ‘It draws attention’

Receiving official confirmation of his clamoured for UFC 303 at the end June, former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor has…

Receiving official confirmation of his clamoured for UFC 303 at the end June, former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor has again been backed to fight for an inaugural super lightweight crown at the 165lbs limit – in his slated bout with Michael Chandler.

Dana White claims Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler won't happen until the Fall in UFC

McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion under the banner of the promotion, has been sidelined since 2021, yet to return since fracturing his left tibia and fibula in an opening round doctor’s stoppage TKO defeat to common-foe, Dustin Poirier.

And as for Chandler, it’s been almost two years away from action for the Kill Cliff FC staple, who himself has yet to return since he was submitted by the above-mentioned, Poirier in their grudge fight at Madison Square Garden in late 2022.

Conor McGregor backed to compete for 165lbs crown at UFC 303

Finally set to fight the Missouri veteran at UFC 303 in at the end of June atop an International Fight Week card, McGregor – who was selected as an ideal candidate to compete for a would-be inaugural 165lbs crown, has been further backed by former two-division titleholder, Daniel Cormier.

Conor McGregor confirms summer UFC fight against Michael Chandler is set we got confirmation — Mandatory Credit: Dia Dipasupil

“I believe that if they’re [the UFC] going to do a 165lbs division, it should have a name attached to the weight class that is so big that it draws people’s attention,” Daniel Cormier said during an appearance on Good Guy / Bad Guy. “Conor McGregor being that name. Michael Chandler, on the other hand, will benefit from being in the right place at the riht time, where these guys would then fight for the super lightweight championship of the world, because that’s what I believe it is.”

And while Lafayette veteran, Cormier calls for the induction of a super lightweight division, McGregor bout with Chandler has already been nailed down at the welterweight limit of 170lbs, as per an official announcement from promotional CEO, Dana White.

Would you like to see Conor McGregor compete for the first-ever super lightweight title?