Darren Till has found himself in a tough situation. Now the undefeated UFC welterweight has come forward to offer a few words on the challenge ahead.
Darren Till will be putting his undefeated streak on the line in a battle against two-time former UFC welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson. The two are set to headline UFC Fight Night 130 on Sunday in Till’s hometown of Liverpool, England.
However, Till missed weight for the event by 3.5 pounds. “Wonderboy” has since accepted a catchweight bout against the undefeated fight, but only under a few stipulations.
Till will be giving up 30 percent of his fight purse. Beyond that, the fighter must weigh-in again at 1:00 pm GMT on Sunday. If Till weighs over 188 pounds, the fight will be cancelled.
Speaking to MMA Junkie, Darren Till revealed that he is not certain he can make the second weigh-in.
“There’s never no excuse for missing weight. I always say it: When you fight, and you lose a fight, there’s no excuse. You lose. Same with the battle with the scales. This time I lost, and there’s no excuse. I know that the UFC said why I missed and gave some information. When I started cutting weight I got an emergency call. It was a family matter. I just had to go to the hospital there and back. I only had five kilos (11 pounds) to go. Usually I have six, seven. I was running. I was OK. I was fine. And I tried to get in the sauna, tried to get in the steam, I tried to do a bath. It just wasn’t happening. I was knackered.
“I missed weight, and I’m truly embarrassed by it, but the fight’s still on hopefully. I’ve got to weigh in again tomorrow. We’ll see how it goes. I know they’re very adamant I’ve got to weigh a certain weight. The ball’s in their court.
“Listen, I offered 100 percent of my purse. Money is no object. Money will come sooner than later. I offered 100 percent.”
“They were adamant I had to weigh in 83-85 kilo (182-187 pounds), which just – it’s bad for me health. We’ll see what happens in the morning when I weigh. I’ve already started drinking. I’ve already started filling back up. We’ll see. I’m sure the fight’s on. I’ll have to pass medicals, and I’ll have to train tonight or tomorrow. But I’m mentally prepared for anything. Nothing gets to me in this life. If I do have to train in the morning to make the weight and cut again, I’ll do it.
“Eighty-five kilo tomorrow morning is not enough. It’s not that it’s not enough. I just put weight on so quick. I’ve got a slow metabolism. I just started drinking before, and it went up like that. So, we’ll see. It could be a mind game. If I have to make the weight, I’ll make it.”
“I know what the UFC has said, but I don’t want to stand here with you and stand in front of the fans and stand wherever and say, ‘Oh, it’s because of this that I missed weight’ No, I missed weight my own doing. My own fault. But the family emergency, we’ll see what happens. Tomorrow I just want to fight, get that done with and start my rise again.”
“When I make my entrance and walk in that cage, that confidence is back. I just honestly don’t give a (expletive) about anything. I haven’t spoken to my daughter in a week; I haven’t FaceTime’d because my mind’s been on this. I haven’t shown affection or love to anyone. My friends don’t know me anymore because I’m just not asked. Tomorrow my confidence is back, but for now, humble Darren is here.
“I’m truly gutted that I missed weight, but all I can say to the fans is don’t hate on me too much. Because I know I’m going to get hate now.”
