TLDR
- Darren Till is fighting with a torn ACL in one knee and torn MCL in the other, with doctors advising him not to compete
- Till left MMA almost five years ago due to severe knee injuries but hopes to return after surgery and earning more money
- He faces former UFC fighter Yoel Romero at BKFC 94 on September 26 in Manchester, England
- Till went 18-5-1 in his MMA career, including a 2018 title shot against Tyron Woodley in the UFC
- His return to MMA depends on how the next two years of his boxing and bareknuckle career develop
Sources: mmajunkie.usatoday.com | bjpenn.com
Former UFC title challenger Darren Till says he hopes to return to MMA despite fighting with torn ligaments in both knees. Till has been competing in boxing and bareknuckle boxing since leaving the UFC in 2023.
Till revealed he has a torn ACL in one knee and a torn MCL in the other. He said doctors have told him he should not be fighting at all.
“I actually don’t think I’m done,” Till told MMA Junkie when asked about returning to MMA. “People don’t realize the severe trauma my body was actually in at that point.”
Till last fought in MMA almost five years ago. His departure from the sport was not voluntary but due to health problems that made competing impossible.
Knee Injuries Forced UFC Exit
The 31-year-old fighter said his knee issues were especially severe during his time as a UFC middleweight. He explained he was not properly filled out for the weight class and his body suffered as a result.
“I’ve had doctors look at it, and they don’t even think I should be fighting,” Till said. “I’m still walking around with a torn ACL.”
Darren Till and Yoel Romero face off…
FOR THREE WHOLE MINUTES 😭 pic.twitter.com/MyOqNE4ABO
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) August 4, 2026
Till said his knee actually popped out in the changing rooms after his fight with Luke Rockhold. The injuries have been less problematic in boxing and bareknuckle boxing since he does not have to kick or wrestle.
He plans to get surgery on his knees once he has earned enough money from his current fighting ventures. Till said whether he returns to MMA depends on how the next year or two of his career unfolds.
“I could be at 35 and think, you know what? I’ve made enough money,” Till said. “I don’t need to put myself through that again.”
Romero Fight Set for Manchester
Till is scheduled to face former UFC middleweight contender Yoel Romero at BKFC 94 on September 26. The event takes place at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England.
Till said he is excited to face Romero despite the Cuban fighter’s fearsome reputation. Years ago when both were in the UFC, Till joked that he was not interested in fighting Romero.
“Back then it was just tongue-in-cheek,” Till explained. “Obviously he was a scary dude then; he’s a scary dude now.”
Till acknowledged that Romero is older now but said the 47-year-old still looks like he cannot be hurt. He said the fight is a challenge to prove he can beat and possibly knock out Romero.
Till compiled an 18-5-1 record during his MMA career. He went 12-0 in the Brazilian regional scene before signing with the UFC.
In the UFC, Till started 6-0-1 with two stoppage wins and two Fight Night bonuses. He received a title shot against welterweight champion Tyron Woodley in 2018 but lost by submission.
After the title fight, Till went 1-4 with losses to Jorge Masvidal, Robert Whittaker, and current middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis. His close fight with Du Plessis was his last MMA bout.
Till has also been linked to a potential future fight with Mike Perry in BKFC. BKFC president David Feldman has expressed confidence that he can make that match happen after Perry’s scheduled bout with Dillon Danis.
