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
Pimblett vs Vendramini: Round 1
Pimblett flicks out a few kicks early on – to the body, to the legs and to the head.
Vendramini comes forward and catches Pimblett with a HUGE left hook! The sound is remarkable.
But, somehow, Pimblett eats it pretty well!
Vendramini forces the Scouser to the mat, however, and looks for a choke. Pimblett works his way back to his feet and is safe for now.
UFC: Till vs Brunson
Pimblett vs Vendramini
There aren’t many fans present in the UFC’s Apex facility, but they still produce an audible cheer for Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett as the Scouser makes his way to the Octagon.
UFC: Till vs Brunson
The main card is upon us!
First up, former Cage Warriors champion Paddy Pimblett (16-3) makes his highly-anticipated UFC debut!
The Liverpudlian lightweight is in action against Luigi Vendramini (9-2).
UFC: Till vs Brunson
McCann vs Kim: Result
Molly McCann def. Ji Yeon Kim via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
McCann gets it done in a close fight!
“I just want a bevvy, lad, I’m buzzing,” a tearful McCann tells Michael Bisping.
“I’ve had to go two years without a win in the pandemic. Everyone back home has got me through.
“I’ve got a torn PCL and a broken knuckle.”
UFC: Till vs Brunson
McCann vs Kim: Round 3
Seconds remain, and McCann calls on Kim to stand and trade in the centre of the Octagon... and she’s getting the better of her opponent here!
McCann seems to stun Kim with a few heavy strikes!
That might just be enough to secure the Liverpudlian the round – and maybe even the fight.
UFC: Till vs Brunson
McCann vs Kim: Round 3
McCann slips to her right and throws a lead uppercut, which finds the chin of Kim.
The South Korean responds with a left straight.
McCann is marching forward now but getting tagged with some fairly sharp counters.
A lot of movement from the Liverpudlian at the moment, but she’s not throwing punches with much accuracy.
UFC: Till vs Brunson
McCann vs Kim: Round 2
Another late flurry from McCann, who almost clashes heads with Kim again.
With seconds left in the frame, McCann secures an unorthodox double-leg takedown, but there’s not enough time to do anything with it.
As we wait for the final round to begin, Kim’s coach tells her: “We’re 1-1, we need to win this round. This is a big round.”
UFC: Till vs Brunson
McCann vs Kim: Round 2
Clean one-two from Kim, right on the chin of McCann.
The South Korean then lands a right low kick, but the reddening that McCann needs to worry about is on her face.
Another one-two from Kim, though the jab seems to miss before the right hand connects.
“Sell something to her!” is the shout from McCann’s corner. She’s not been especially dynamic up to this point.
UFC: Till vs Brunson
McCann vs Kim: Round 1
McCann seems to have regathered herself, and she ends the first round as she started it: with some powerful hooks.
The Liverpudlian is leaving her chin high when she’s throwing these shots, however, and is vulnerable to counters each time.
“Was it a headbutt?” she asks her corner, regarding the clash of heads that saw McCann drop to the mat.
The second round is now under way.
UFC: Till vs Brunson
McCann vs Kim: Round 1
Both women are landing heavy hooks early on! Heads down, winging shots.
McCann drives Kim to the fence and the pair momentarily grapple, but Kim is able to free herself.
Back in the centre of the Octagon, the flyweights clash heads BADLY and McCann drops to the canvas!
She’s still cognisant, working on a single-leg to stay in this fight...
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