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: Till vs Brunson – Round 1
Till goes after Brunson right away with one-twos.
Brunson tries to tie up the Liverpudlian, but to no avail.
“Let’s go, Darren!” chants from the small crowd in the UFC’s Apex institute in Las Vegas.
But there’s the takedown from Brunson, who uses a knee to enter!
UFC: Till vs Brunson
Brunson, 37, is arguably in the best form of his life as he makes what might be his final push to become UFC middleweight champion.
The American’s best attribute is his wrestling, but he has some notable knockouts on the feet as well.
UFC: Till vs Brunson
No walkout music for Till, who would usually emerge to “Sweet Caroline”. It wouldn’t feel right to do so without an arena singing along, the 28-year-old said this week.
Tonight’s event is taking place in the UFC’s Apex institute in Las Vegas, with just a small number of fans in attendance.
UFC: Till vs Brunson
Main-event time.
This is Darren Till’s first fight since his decision defeat by Robert Whittaker last summer.
Till (18-3-1) was set to face Italy’s Marvin Vettori earlier this year, but the Liverpudlian broke his collarbone and had to withdraw from that bout.
Derek Brunson (22-7), meanwhile, is on a four-fight win streak. The American is pursuing a rematch with middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, having been knocked out by ‘The Last Stylebender’ in 2018.
UFC: Till vs Brunson
Aspinall vs Spivac: Result
Aspinall def. Spivac via first-round TKO (strikes, 2:30).
“Every time I get in this place, I’m god-damned scared to death. But that’s how I express myself, through that fear,” Aspinall says.
“I actually hurt my elbow on his head!” he adds, regarding the finish.
UFC: Till vs Brunson
Aspinall vs Spivac: Round 1
Aspinall presses forward at once. A couple of quick one-twos, his speed is immediately on show.
Spivac shoots for a takedown but Aspinall sprawls nicely and defends it.
Oh! The Englishman catches Spivac with a knee to the gut then an elbow to the face! The Moldovan collapses and is finished on the mat!
What a performance by Aspinall!
UFC: Till vs Brunson
The co-main event is upon us!
Wigan’s Tom Aspinall (10-2) is in heavyweight action against Serghei Spivac (13-2).
Moldova’s Spivac steps in on short notice to take on the fast-rising – and fast-moving – Aspinall.
All of Aspinall’s wins have come via stoppage – eight by KO, two by submission.
UFC: Till vs Brunson
Morono vs Zawada: Result
Alex Morono def. David Zawada via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
A fair call. Morono did a lot of his fighting on the back foot but was the more accurate and effective striker.
UFC: Till vs Brunson
Morono vs Zawada: Round 3
Morono gets a takedown early in the third and final round, and he takes Zawada’s back with remarkable ease.
Some much-needed resilience from Zawada now, though. The German is able to stand against the fence.
The momentum is against him, however, even after he separates himself from Morono.
The American catches him with yet another fierce hook.
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