Darren Till isn't one to shy away from bold predictions—and his latest take on the UFC's middleweight division is turning heads.
The former UFC title challenger, who was released by the promotion in February 2023 after three consecutive losses, has since found new life in boxing and bare-knuckle fighting. But that doesn't mean he's stopped keeping a close eye on MMA's elite.
After watching Sean Strickland dethrone Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328, Till couldn't help but speak his mind. During a live stream on Kick.com, the British fighter made a statement that's got fans talking: "I look at Sean Strickland now, he's just beat Khamzat. I know for a fact me 100 per cent healthy I take him out. I know I would. Everyone even says it. It's easy for me to say it, he's the champion, but I trust in my skill set."
Till's confidence comes from a place of familiarity—he trained alongside Chimaev during their UFC days, building a strong friendship that made him naturally back "Borz" heading into the title fight. But seeing Strickland's gritty performance shifted Till's perspective, making him believe his own best version could solve the puzzle.
Still, the road back to UFC gold is anything but straightforward. Till hasn't competed in MMA since his release, and questions linger about whether his knee has fully healed. If he does return to the Octagon, he'll need to climb past a murderers' row of contenders before earning a shot at testing that prediction against Strickland.
For now, Till's focus is on his bare-knuckle debut at BKFC 90 on May 30, where he'll face reality TV personality Aaron Chalmers—who once shared the ring with Floyd Mayweather. A win there could set up a long-awaited showdown with BKFC star Mike Perry.
Till's last fight was a memorable one: in August 2025, he stopped former UFC champion Luke Rockhold in the main event of a Misfits boxing card in Manchester, England. That performance showed glimpses of the dangerous striker who once challenged for UFC gold.
Whether he's competing in MMA, boxing, or bare-knuckle, one thing remains clear: Darren Till still believes he belongs among the sport's best. And if his knee holds up, he might just get the chance to prove it.