Even a collected guy like Darren Till isn’t immune to dealing with emotional adversity.
The one-time UFC champion was set to fight in his homeland in UFC London’s co-main event next weekend, before an injury forced him out of his bout against Jack Hermansson. Chris Curtis is expected to step in for Till on short notice, but Till cannot help feeling frustrated and sad about being forced to withdraw from the most important fight of his UFC tenure.
In fact, the feeling he has reminds him how a world-class heavyweight boxer felt years ago before he turned things around.
“I feel as if I’m experiencing a Tyson Fury moment,” Till stated on the Block assets YouTube page . Remember when he claimed he was in a depressed stage?” I feel like that’s where I’m at now.”
The 29-year-old is looking to snap a two-fight skid after dropping a decision to former champ Robert Whittaker in July 2020, and suffering a submission loss to Derek Brunson in the main event of UFC Vegas 36 this past September.
Till is not only dealing with the emotions of losing out on a big fight in his home country, but he also admits that the reaction from the critics — including some of his fellow fighters — is nearly impossible to ignore.
“It’s so f****** frustrating for me at the same time because I know my potential,” Till said. “I’m not downing anyone, but I’m the f****** best out there and I know that, but it’s just such a f****** depressing time for me at the moment because, listen, trolls don’t bother me, but it’s just these f****** comments — even fighters — and they’re like, ‘Oh, he pulled out.’ I’m like, mate, come to my gym and I’ll f***** take you out.
“It’s just so frustrating right now for me, it really is. It’s just at the f ****** lowest point .”
“The Gorilla” is 1-4 in his past five appearances inside the UFC octagon, which includes a submission loss to then welterweight champion Tyron Woodley in his first title bid at UFC 228 in September 2018.
For Till. If the hateful voices want to continue chirping, that’s something he will have to face. It will be just another thing to keep him busy until he returns.
” Although I don’t drink or take drugs, I feel the same way,” Till stated. “I’m not about that new age of, ‘Oh, I’m depressed,’ and mental health, and all of that bulls*** [because] I come from a different era, but it just makes you feel so f***** low s*** like this, man.
“Some of these comments get to you: ‘Oh, retire now,’ What do you mean retire? You are raving about what the f***? Although I don’t have any event in my prime, I do know where I am at the moment .”
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