Darren Till’s Future in Bare-Knuckle Boxing
Darren Till, at 32 years old, is exploring the possibility of competing in bare-knuckle boxing after his departure from the UFC in early 2023. Since then, the outspoken Brit has revitalized his career under the Misfits Boxing promotion, achieving victories in all three of his matches this year, including notable knockouts of Anthony Taylor and former UFC champion Luke Rockhold. There has been ongoing speculation about a fight between Till and Mike Perry, another ex-UFC fighter, although this matchup has yet to materialize.
BKFC’s Interest in Till
Dave Feldman, the founder of BKFC, is optimistic about the chances of Till participating in bare-knuckle boxing. In a recent appearance on “The Ariel Helwani Show,” he expressed his intent to arrange a fight between Till and Perry if the latter can win against Jeremy Stephens at BKFC 82 this Saturday.
Possible Rivalry with Mike Perry
Feldman mentioned the complex dynamics between Till and Perry, noting that Till has shown considerable interest in fighting Perry, even as he has criticized bare-knuckle boxing in the past. Their ongoing back-and-forth suggests that both fighters are keen on eventually facing each other.
The Stakes of the Upcoming Fight
This weekend’s match marks Perry’s long-awaited return to BKFC, following an absence since defeating Thiago Alves in just 60 seconds back in April 2024. Despite some past tensions with Feldman, their relationship has since improved, and both look forward to what lies ahead with Perry’s contract having two fights remaining.
Competing Against the UFC
Feldman acknowledged that hosting an event simultaneously with UFC 320 presents a challenge, as it features a high-profile rematch between Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira. He admits that they may not reach their hoped-for attendance numbers given the competition from the UFC, but 11,000 to 12,000 attendees would still be respectable.
Conor McGregor’s Potential in BKFC
Looking ahead, Feldman is ambitious about possibly bringing notable fighters like Conor McGregor into the BKFC fold. He sees great financial sense for McGregor to compete in bare-knuckle boxing once his UFC contract concludes, and he has already expressed interest in potential matchups against other big names.
New Initiatives for BKFC
Feldman is currently working on a major ownership deal valued at $350 million and has plans to launch “BKFC Fight Club,” a series of smaller events designed to showcase up-and-coming bare-knuckle fighters. These events will feature intimate settings and competitors of similar experience levels, helping nurture new talent in the sport.
