Darren Till reveals what made him finally try bare-knuckle fighting and why he’s ‘85 percent’ certain he’s done with MMA

Darren Till has signed a multi-fight deal with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), ending years of reluctance about the sport. The former UFC title challenger, who previously cited concerns about cosmetic damage and facial lacerations in bare-knuckle combat, finally committed to the promotion after financial incentives made the move worthwhile. Till had long expressed hesitation about the sport despite longstanding speculation about a potential matchup with Mike Perry. While Till acknowledged that bare-knuckle fighting statistically produces fewer major injuries and concussions than MMA or boxing, he remained concerned about the high rate of cuts and scarring fighters endure. That apprehension now appears to have been overcome by contractual terms. Till also revealed he is approximately 85 percent certain his MMA career has concluded, suggesting his focus has fully shifted to bare-knuckle competition. The move represents a significant career transition for one of welterweight MMA's most recognizable names and marks another high-profile defection from the UFC to BKFC in recent years.