Darren Till: When The Time Comes, I’m Going To Beat Israel Adesanya
When asked to rate Israel Adesanya’s last performance against Paulo Costa at UFC 253, Darren Till raved about his performance and his abilities inside the Octagon. However, when the times comes, ‘The Gorilla’ believes he will hand ‘The Last Stylebender’ his first profession loss in MMA.
First Thing’s First
But first thing’s first, Till must get past the challenge currently in front of him, that is Jack Hermansson. The two are scheduled to meet on the UFC’s December 5th card in Las Vegas. The fight will serve as an important one in the 185lbs division, with some serious title aspirations for the winner.
While speaking with MMA Junkie, Till stated that he knows exactly how big a challenge Hermansson possesses, knowing that he needs to overcome him first in order to get one step closer to Adesanya.
“I think he’s going to come in and attack the neck and attack the legs and look for a quick sub,” Till said. “So I’ve got to be physically and mentally prepared for that. I think it’s going to be a very strategic fight. I don’t think I’m going to play it sort of like my last few fights where I’m waiting to miss and hitting them with one shot. If I can defend all his attacks I’m just going to be looking to really put combinations together and put him out early. That’s what I’m going to be looking for me.”
As of right now, the fight between Jared Cannonier and Robert Whittaker taking place at UFC 254 will cement the number one contender spot in the division. Especially if ‘The Killa Gorilla’ wins, considering Adesanya’s desire to fight him.
Keeping Focused
Even with all the different scenarios in play in the UFC’s middleweight division, Till remains focused and unfazed.
“I’m not looking at any of that,” Till said. “I’m just looking at Jack. Me and Adesanya [will fight], me and Whittaker will probably run it back, and this time I’ll finish him in the first round. That elbow won’t go slipping this time. I’m just focused on Jack. I’m 27. I know I’ve got time on my hands, I know what I need to do and I’m just going to let it all out. I’m just focused on Jack.”
Although Hermansson may be his main focus, it’s not hard to tell Adesanya is constantly in the back of the Brit’s mind. Even going as far as to say he draws inspiration from the champion.
“I know when the time comes, I’m going to beat Israel Adesanya,” Till stated. “Invite the hate, but [I] cannot take nothing away from that performance: utter masterclass, utter confidence. I can take inspiration from it even though we’re rivals. To be able to do that shows a level of maturity that I can do that. Costa just needs to come back, whatever he needs to do. But it was an utter masterclass.”
Respectful Rivalry
While Adesanya’s skills are undeniable at this point, his brash personality and the things he says have begun making their own headlines, leaving both fans and fighters alike divided on whether or not they like the man. But for Till, he explains that their rivalry has always come from a place of respect, and all the trash talking that comes along in the fight game doesn’t have an impact on him.
“I’m never going to hate him, or any other fighters,” Till said. “I like to think I’m smart enough to know anything they say or do doesn’t affect my feelings. I’m not really sensitive in that way. I can make jokes about myself, I can make jokes about me family. I’ve seen a tweet the other day like, ‘What’s the limit, what’s not the limit?’ For me, I don’t really see people talking about family or other stuff like that. It doesn’t affect me, but I can see how it disrespects other fighters. I’m not really one of them to just hate someone because they said something.
“We’re going to fight, whether they want to fight on the streets or the cage, it’s more sensible in the cage, but I’m not going to hate on that person. I’m not going to hate on Izzy because he’s doing well or because he’s got this or he’s got that. I hate him for the fight. If we’re going to fight, yeah I’ll hate him. As a person, as a human being, if you’re a guy that’s hating, you’ve got some serious problems with yourself inside yourself. I can’t hate on anyone, I hate myself.”
Do you think we will eventually see Darren Till and Israel Adesanya inside the Octagon together?
See also: