Darren Till reminded fight fans exactly why his name still carries weight when he flattened Luke Rockhold in Manchester at Misfits 22 – Ring of Thrones. The third-round knockout was brutal, clean, and a clear statement that the former UFC title challenger is more than just an MMA fighter dabbling in boxing. The win earned him the inaugural MFB bridgerweight belt and opened a door many thought had closed after his UFC exit.
Till, who left MMA behind due to nagging knee injuries, has hinted at a return to the Octagon someday. But right now, boxing seems like the lane where his star could truly rise. Naturally, the performance sparked conversations about a showdown with Jake Paul. And while “The Gorilla” himself admitted he’s not sold on the matchup actually happening, some big names in the fight game believe it makes far more sense than Paul’s current path.
Instead of Gervonta “Tank” Davis-a pound-for-pound superstar who fights four weight classes below Paul-several voices in the sport say Darren Till is the matchup that would give fans a real contest. And Demetrious Johnson is leading the charge.
Demetrious Johnson: “That fight does not make sense to me”
On his YouTube channel Mighty, the former UFC flyweight champ broke down Misfits 22 and praised Till’s hands. “I truly feel Darren Till has found his sport,”Johnson said. “He put his hands together and he is not scared to exchange. And a lot of people are probably afraid to fight Darren Till when it comes to boxing… I would love to see him versus Jake Paul.”
For Johnson, the appeal is simple: Till is closer to Paul’s size, age, and style than Davis. “That fight does not make sense to me,” Johnson added about Paul vs. Davis. “I think Darren Till versus Jake Paul will be a great fight.”
Michael Bisping, never one to hold back, offered his own blunt assessment on YouTube. “Darren Till has a lot of options now. A lot of big fights. There is a potential Jake Paul. That won’t happen because he would smoke Jake Paul. He would destroy Jake Paul”.
The Risk Jake Paul Might Not Want
From a promotional standpoint, Till ticks every box. He’s got crossover appeal as a UFC name, he’s only 31, and he’s coming off a devastating knockout that went viral across social media. But there’s a catch: Till might simply be too dangerous.
Paul’s career has been carefully managed-facing retired legends like Tyron Woodley and Anderson Silva while avoiding prime, active contenders. In Till, he’d be walking into a fight with an 18-5 southpaw who carries legitimate knockout power and has momentum on his side. Oddsmakers see little incentive for Paul to take that kind of gamble, especially with the financial risk already tied to his November 14 exhibition against Davis.
Still, the buzz is undeniable. While Till has hinted at interest in a fight with Carl Froch, the chatter around him and Jake Paul refuses to die down. Whether it’s Johnson’s endorsement, Bisping’s skepticism, or fans simply wanting to see Paul take a real test, the conversation is shifting.
Darren Till may not be on Paul’s radar yet, but the longer the spotlight shines on “The Gorilla,” the harder he’ll be to ignore.
Read the full article here
