Darren Till has signed a multi-fight agreement with Bare Knuckle FC. His promotional debut is scheduled for an event in Birmingham, England, on May 30, 2026. An opponent for Till's first bare-knuckle bout will be announced at a later date. This marks a significant career shift for the former UFC contender, who is moving from traditional mixed martial arts to bare-knuckle boxing. The signing was confirmed by Bare Knuckle FC.
Darren Till has officially signed a multi-fight deal with Bare Knuckle FC, with his promotional debut scheduled for May 30, 2026, at an event in Birmingham, England. An opponent for the bout has yet to be announced, according to the promotion.
Till, 33, is one of the more recognizable names to cross over from the UFC to bare-knuckle competition. The Liverpool-born Englishman compiled an 18-5-1 record across his mixed martial arts career, competing primarily at welterweight and middleweight. Known by the nickname "The Gorilla," the six-foot southpaw carries a 74-inch reach and trained out of Astra Fight Team. He landed 2.3 significant strikes per minute at 46 percent accuracy during his MMA career, relying heavily on his striking game — he recorded zero submission attempts per 15 minutes across his fights, underlining a stand-up style that translates naturally to the bare-knuckle format.
Why it matters
- Till was a former UFC title challenger and ranked contender, giving Bare Knuckle FC a marquee signing with mainstream combat sports recognition.
- His southpaw striking-heavy style makes him a natural fit for the bare-knuckle format, where grappling and submissions are removed from the equation entirely.
- A home-country debut in Birmingham adds additional promotional weight, with Till drawing a strong following across the United Kingdom.
- The opponent announcement will be critical in determining the competitive stakes of his first bare-knuckle appearance.
