UFC 228: Darren Till has lit a fire I’ve never had before - Tyron Woodley EXCLUSIVE
UFC 228 - TYRON WOODLEY is more motivated than ever ahead of his return to the Octagon.
The reigning welterweight champion makes his first appearance inside the cage in over a year this weekend in the main event of UFC 228, which takes place in Dallas, Texas in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Welcoming the Missouri native back to action is Britain’s Darren Till, who is on a mission to become only the second fighter from these shores to hold UFC gold.
Till has built up an immense following in the UK during his three years in mixed martial arts’ premier promotion thanks to his Scouse wit and entertaining fighting style.
All the attention surrounding the Merseysider - as well as his unwavering belief he’ll be crowned the new ruler of the welterweight division - has excited Woodley and given him some extra motivation ahead of his fourth title defence.
“Darren Till for some reason has been able to light a fire in me that I’ve never had in a fight before,” ‘The Chosen One’ told Express Sport. “Almost to the point where this is personal.
“He’s really put me in a position where I’m naturally motivated, I’m naturally competitive and I hate that.”
Ever the pillar of confidence, Till is adamant he’ll leave Texas with the belt wrapped around his waist.
Woodley admits the 25-year-old has all the attributes to be a UFC champion but isn’t going to let him fulfil his childhood dream at his expense.
Darren Till for some reason has been able to light a fire in me that I’ve never had in a fight before
“It’s a situation where everybody is looking at this kid to say, ‘He could be the next guy.’ And to be honest, he could. He could be the next guy,” Woodley, 22-3, said.
“And I’ve just got to do whatever in my power to make sure it’s not on my watch.”
The champion foresees Till holding a UFC title in the future, but not in the welterweight division.
“I think he’s got what it takes to be a champion,” Woodley said of Till. "I think, personally, in one or two more years he’s going to have to go up a weight class.
“And I just don’t see a lot of guys in that weight class being able to deal with him. He could be a champion there, it’s wide open.
“You have to take a fighter like that serious. You have to take that hunger seriously.”
There’s the belief in the mixed martial arts world that Till’s title shot has come too early in his career and that he may very well have bitten off more than he can chew.
Woodley disagrees with that notion but believes his experience of taking on the welterweight division’s elite will be a huge factor in him registering yet another successful title defence.
“I don’t think he’s biting off more than he can chew,” he said. “Also, not to correct you, a ranked welterweight has a number by it. When you look at my name, it has a letter by it. One to ten is ranked, I’m the champion. He’s never fought the champion before. The champion has beaten so many ranked opponents.
“Tarec Saffedine, Kelvin Gastelum, Josh Koscheck, Carlos Condit, Robbie Lawler, ‘Wonderboy’ (Stephen Thompson), Demian Maia. I’ve only lost to champions and title contenders - they’re the only guys I’ve lost to.
“So I just think the resume and the experience - not only just the fights, preparing to fight those guys - I’ve done a lot more.
“I’m not saying that doesn’t mean he can’t get the job done, I’m just so motivated to make sure I come away victorious.
“No matter if me and him were both making our pro debut, I’d feel real confident that I’d come away with the W.”