Dublin’s loss is Liverpool’s gain.
Early reports suggested that the UFC was set to return to the Irish capital for a Fight Night event on May 27 but a surprise announcement on Friday afternoon confirmed that the card will, in fact, take place in Liverpool’s Echo Arena.
On the eve of the Octagon’s return to London, it was revealed that the UFC will put on a show on Merseyside for the very first time and it’s no surprise who has been drafted in to headline.
It's happening!! #UFCLiverpool is official for May 27!
🎟 https://t.co/shPzwVYT9L pic.twitter.com/rIIwOylJxo
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) March 16, 2018
Top UFC welterweight Darren Till, who hails from Walton, has all been all but confirmed as one-half of the main event but, at the time of writing, no opponent has been made official.
The undefeated 170lber has remarkably never competed on UK soil, let alone in his native Liverpool, but that’s all about to change.
Till was branded ‘The Future’ by UFC President Dana White after his demolition of Donald Cerrone last October and he will find himself in the running for a title shot with a victory in his next trip through the Octagon’s doors.
Remember the name @DarrenTill2 https://t.co/Oi8Jl7S7Pu
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) October 21, 2017
‘The Gorilla’ is unprecedentedly eyeing world titles in three different UFC weight divisions but he has made it clear that one of his main career goals was simply to fight at home. And now he gets that opportunity.
The Liverpool MMA scene has been thriving in recent years, with the likes of Paddy Pimblett, Chris Fishgold and Molly McCann earning plenty of attention during Cage Warriors’ several shows at the Echo Arena.
One can expect at least one of the above names to get a shot on the UFC card this May.
