Darren Till gets possible next fight option as BKFC sign UFC rival Derek Brunson
Derek Brunson, who submitted Till in the UFC in 2021, will make his bare-knuckle debut in Myrtle Beach on 20 November against an opponent yet to be named.
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BKFC announced on Monday that they have signed Derek Brunson, the former UFC middleweight contender who beat Darren Till. The 42-year-old will make his debut at BKFC Fight Night Myrtle Beach in South Carolina on 20 November, with his opponent yet to be confirmed.
The signing gives Till a possible new opponent. He is unbeaten in BKFC after beating Yoel Romero over five rounds at BKFC 94 in Manchester in September, his second appearance for the promotion. A win on his debut would make Brunson a potential option for Till.
The pair met in a UFC Fight Night main event in Las Vegas in 2021, when Brunson submitted Till in the third round for his 14th UFC win.
Brunson, who had 21 fights in the UFC, has been out of competition for more than two years. He had been scheduled to fight on GFL 1, but the bout was cancelled amid that promotion's ongoing issues.
Brunson said of his signing: “I’m excited to compete again. I’ve been training for the past three years, getting my younger guys ready. Time to get back out there and have some fun. I have a very strong grind in me right now.” Dave Feldman said in a press release: “We’re honored to have Derek Brunson sign with BKFC.” He added that BKFC had long admired Brunson's skills and expected him to make serious noise in the Squared Circle.
Till also has other options. A fight against Tommy Fury is possible, although BKFC have set a deadline on it and a few issues remain to be resolved. Till, a former UFC welterweight title challenger, has also targeted a fight with former boxing champion Carl Froch.
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