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
Morono vs Zawada: Round 1
Deja vu: Morono connects with the top of Zawada’s head with a counter right hook.
Lots of instructions from Morono’s corner.
The American finds homes for uppercuts and hooks in close as the first round comes to an end.
UFC: Till vs Brunson
Morono vs Zawada: Round 1
Early pressure from Zawada, who looks lighter on his feet than Morono.
But Morono catches Zawada on the top of his head with a counter right hook!
The German shakes it off...
UFC: Till vs Brunson
Next up, Alex Morono (19-7, 1 NC) takes on David Zawada (17-6) in a welterweight bout.
UFC: Till vs Brunson
Bukauskas vs Rountree: Result
Khalil Rountree Jr def. Modestas Bukauskas via second-round TKO (leg kick, 2:30).
Rountree says: “I didn’t work [the kick] in training camp with the intent that I threw it today, because I wanted to make sure my partners were safe.”
UFC: Till vs Brunson
Bukauskas vs Rountree: Round 2
Nice jab from Bukauskas, making Rountree flinch.
Rountree has slowed down somewhat in this second round.
Another jab from Bukauskas – this one rather powerful – connects. He’s still being a bit too reactionary, however, and could do without waiting on his opponent so much.
Oh wow!!! Out of nowhere, Rountree ends the fight with a leg kick!
It’s a side kick to Bukauskas’ knee as the Lithuanian steps forward, and immediately Bukauskas drops to the mat and the fight is stopped!
UFC: Till vs Brunson
Bukauskas vs Rountree: Round 1
Bukauskas looks extremely wary of Rountree’s power, and understandably so.
The blood from Bukauskas’ nose has dripped down to his mouth and is smeared all over his face.
Heavy leg kicks from Rountree to end what was – for him – a successful first round.
UFC: Till vs Brunson
Bukauskas vs Rountree: Round 1
Rountree catches Bukauskas on the end of a left straight within the first 20 seconds and the Lithuanian is on the run!
Bukauskas’ nose has already been busted up by the southpaw.
More pressure from Rountree – every punch he throws makes a significant sound upon impact.
UFC: Till vs Brunson
The main card continues as Modestas Bukauskas (11-4) takes on Khalil Rountree Jr (9-5, 1 no contest) in a light heavyweight bout.
UFC: Till vs Brunson
Pimblett vs Vendramini: Result
Paddy Pimblett def. Luigi Vendramini via first-round TKO (strikes, 4:25).
“I’m a Scouser, we don’t get knocked out,” Pimblett says about his early scare.
“I’m the new cash cow, I’m the new main man on the UFC roster.”
UFC: Till vs Brunson
Pimblett vs Vendramini: Round 1
The pair trade clean body kicks, before Vendramini finds a home for that left hook yet again. That shot is there for him repeatedly.
Pimblett shoots for a double-leg takedown, but Vendramini uses the fence well to escape the Liverpudlian’s grip and create space.
But Pimblett closes that space and pours it on! Vendramini is hurt!
Right, left, repeat... and the referee steps in as Vendramini slumps against the fence!
“PADDY, PADDY,” are the chants in the Apex institute!
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