UFC: Darren Till vs Derek Brunson LIVE – Latest updates and result from Fight Night in Las Vegas
Follow all the action live from the UFC Apex institute in Las Vegas
Darren Till’s struggles for momentum in the UFC show no signs of subsiding, as the Liverpudlian was submitted by Derek Brunson in the third round of their Fight Night main event on Saturday night.
Till (18-4-1) saw his welterweight run end with back-to-back defeats in 2018, prompting a move up to middleweight in an attempt to kickstart his UFC career and avoid the weight-cutting issues that had been plaguing him.
A narrow decision win over Kelvin Gastelum in his debut at 185lbs was followed by a points loss to former divisional champion Robert Whittaker last summer, with Saturday’s submission defeat by Brunson meaning Till has just one victory from his last five bouts.
The 28-year-old striker looked sharp as ever on the feet, but his American opponent predictably pursued takedowns, which he secured in all three of the five rounds that a small group of fans got to witness in the UFC’s Apex facility in Las Vegas.
Brunson, 37, controlled Till on the mat for the majority of the first two rounds, landing heavy strikes from above, including slicing elbows. His takedown in the third round almost came out of desperation, however, after he appeared to be stunned by Till’s punches, which followed effective knees to the body.
In any case, Brunson’s instinctive takedown somehow gave way to the American quickly slipping into mount position, before he took Till’s back and locked in a rear naked choke. Till promptly tapped out to the hold, as Brunson (23-7) earned a fifth straight win in his last push for a middleweight title shot.
The 37-year-old was knocked out by current champion Israel Adesanya in 2018, as ‘The Last Stylebender’ stormed towards middleweight gold.
Re-live all the action from UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs Till below.
UFC: Brunson submits Till – Report
Darren Till submitted by Derek Brunson in third round of UFC Fight Night main event
The Liverpudlian now has just one win in his last five bouts, while American Brunson is making a last push for the middleweight title at 37
UFC: Brunson submits Till
So, what next for Darren Till?
It’s back-to-back losses for the second time in his career – he has just one win in his last five fights.
In 2018, he took on Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson and got a bit of a fortunate decision victory, leading to a somewhat premature title fight with Tyron Woodley.
Those contests marked a run of bouts against very dangerous opponents for the Liverpudlian, who could probably use a step down in competition.
UFC: Brunson submits Till
“I ain’t broke, I’ll sit and wait,” says Brunson, when asked whether he plans to fight again soon or wait for the winner of a likely middleweight title fight between champion Israel Adesanya and former title-holder Robert Whittaker.
Both of those men have knocked out Brunson in the first round in the past, but he has now won five in a row and has looked sharp in doing so.
At 37, he’s making one last push for the belt.
UFC: Brunson submits Till
That’s Derek Brunson’s fifth straight victory – all of them coming in spite of a status as betting underdog.
UFC: Brunson submits Till
Brunson seemed to get the takedown out of nowhere before transitioning so smoothly into mount – setting up the finish.
The American even appeared to be wobbled by Till’s strikes just seconds before taking down the Liverpudlian.
UFC: Till vs Brunson – Result
Derek Brunson def. Darren Till via third-round submission (rear naked choke, 2:13)
UFC: Till vs Brunson – Round 3
Brunson slips a one-two from Till and grabs his opponent, but Till wriggles free.
Some good knees from Till now as Brunson looks to grapple. They seem to be taking a toll on the American, and now Till is staggering Brunson with punches!
But Brunson is able to keep his composure and take down Till!
He slips straight into mount before taking the back! And Till taps!
UFC: Till vs Brunson – Round 2
Ground strikes: Brunson 72-1 Till.
And Brunson is adding more as the second round nears its conclusion.
Two rounds in the books, and both clearly belong to Brunson, who has controlled Till on the mat for the majority of this main event.
UFC: Till vs Brunson – Round 2
“He can have that round, can’t he?” Till tells his coach Colin Heron after Round 1. “He’s tired.”
“He’s scared, petrified,” Heron replies.
I’m not sure about that.
Early in the second round, there’s some good takedown defence from an off-balance Till, but ultimately Brunson does drag the Liverpudlian to the mat.
UFC: Till vs Brunson – Round 1
A couple of big shots by Brunson from on top, and Till starts to cover up!
Brunson reverts to controlling his opponent momentarily, before throwing a slicing elbow.
Till is struggling to create space here, and there’s still a minute left in this first round.
But he finally finds the guile and energy to do so, before patting Brunson on the back!
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