Darren Till Destroys Luke Rockhold with Brutal KO at Misfits Boxing 22
Darren Till reminded the combat sports world of his devastating power with a brutal third-round knockout victory over Luke Rockhold at Misfits Boxing 22, capturing the Misfits Bridgerweight Championship in front of a raucous Manchester crowd at the AO Arena.
The former UFC welterweight title challenger, who has seamlessly transitioned to boxing under the Misfits banner, improved to 3-0 in boxing competition with perhaps his most impressive performance to date. Till (18-5-1 MMA, 3-0 boxing) dropped Rockhold with a thunderous left hook at 1:08 of the third round, sending the former UFC middleweight champion crashing to the canvas in devastating fashion.
"This is what I've been working toward," an elated Till said in his post-fight interview. "Luke is a legend, a former UFC champion, and to finish him like that in my home country means everything to me. I want Carl Froch next – let's make that fight happen!"
The knockout was the culmination of a dominant performance from Till, who used his superior boxing technique and power to systematically break down Rockhold over three rounds. The Liverpool native landed clean shots throughout the contest, gradually wearing down his opponent before delivering the decisive blow that ended the fight in spectacular fashion.
Rockhold, the former Strikeforce and UFC middleweight champion, showed tremendous heart in defeat but was simply outclassed by Till's boxing skills. The California native had been competitive in the early rounds but found himself increasingly under pressure as Till's superior technique and power began to tell.
In the co-main event, Tony Ferguson provided one of the most emotional moments of the evening with a third-round TKO victory over Salt Papi to capture the Misfits interim middleweight title. Ferguson (25-11 MMA, 1-0 boxing), who had endured a seven-fight losing streak in the UFC, overwhelmed his younger opponent at 2:43 of the third round to secure his first victory since 2019.
"El Cucuy" looked rejuvenated in the boxing ring, displaying the aggressive pressure fighting style that made him one of the UFC's most feared lightweights. The emotional victory marked a potential career renaissance for the 41-year-old veteran, who broke down in tears after having his hand raised.
The evening's drama wasn't limited to boxing, as Dillon Danis made quick work of Warren Spencer in MMA competition, submitting his opponent with a guillotine choke just 15 seconds into the first round to become the new MF MMA Champion. The lightning-fast submission showcased Danis's elite grappling skills and provided one of the night's most impressive technical performances.
The success of Misfits Boxing 22 in Manchester has firmly established the promotion as a major player in the crossover combat sports landscape, providing a platform for both established stars seeking new challenges and emerging talent looking to make their mark on the sport.
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