Till Hoping To Be Backup For Adesanya Vs Romero

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Though a potential fight between Darren Till and Jared Cannonier — which was targeted for UFC 248 on March 7 — didn’t materialize, Till is still trying his hardest to get to Las Vegas, Nevada.

That’s because he hopes to serve as a backup for the main event Middleweight title fight between division champion, Israel Adesanya, and Yoel Romero. Unfortunately, visa issues are standing in the way.

“I just want to fight March 7th,” Till said on “Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show,” as transcribed by MMA Junkie. “I’d just love to be the backup and just get out there and cut weight and just see what happens with that fight.”

Having a backup wouldn’t be the worst idea, as Romero has missed weight before. That said, Till doesn’t foresee “Soldier of God” missing weight for another title fight again.

“I can’t see Yoel missing weight. I can’t see it, but you know how many people were so convinced I’d miss weight against Woodley, and they had Usman as a backup, you know what I mean,” Till said. “… I’d just love to be there and see that fight live. I can’t even go. I can’t even be a spectator. That’s what’s pissing me off so much.”

Till has had issues with cutting weight himself in the past, but says he’s been keeping his weight down just in case.

“I’m not cutting weight. I’m just staying my weight,” Till added. “My weight’s been quite low anyway. I’m just keeping my weight as low as … I’m training hard twice a day. I’m just staying ready for anything, whatever and as soon as Mick (Maynard) said to me Jared was injured, I was like, ‘Ok, I’ll be the backup.’”

Indeed, Cannonier suffered a pectoral muscle injury last week, ending any and all hopes of a fight against “Gorilla.” Till, meanwhile, had similar visa issues for UFC 244, though he eventually got it situated the week of his fight against Kelvin Gastelum.

According to Till, President Trump played a big part in helping him get his issues resolved that time, which is why he recently tried to reach out to the POTUS to help him out once again.