It’s clear there’s a massive level of respect between Israel Adesanya and Darren Till.
After UFC middleweight champion Adesanya (20-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) put on a masterclass against Paulo Costa at UFC 253, Till said he was inspired by the “Stylebender’s” performance.
Though Till (18-3-1 MMA, 6-3-1 UFC) hasn’t had a standout showing yet since moving up to 185 pounds, Adesanya echoes his sentiment and also takes inspiration from him – not just as a person, but he also admires his fighting style.
“I love striking, and I love the way he strikes,” Adesanya told MMA Junkie. “Very basic muay Thai, and I mean that with all respect, but also his clinch game and his elbow game is advanced, but he sticks to his basic muay Thai. His left kick, his left straight, the way he curves his left. Beautiful to watch and yeah I take inspiration from a guy like that just in a way who he is. ‘I don’t care, I don’t give an (expletive).’ That’s Darren Till. I take inspiration from that like yeah, don’t give an (expletive).
“When he fought Gastelum, it was (at UFC) 244 in New York, I think I was there live, he fought him and he said he didn’t care if he got knocked out and I was like that’s a dangerous man. I took inspiration from that because in my fight here as well, I’ve said I surrendered, I didn’t really care what happened after the fight. All I cared about was the fight and me staying true to myself and my style and not playing it too safe, but also not going too wild, but being balanced and being true to myself.”
Adesanya currently has his eyes Jared Cannonier should he beat Robert Whittaker at UFC 254 on Oct. 24, but Till could insert himself in the title picture if he’s able to get a definitive win over the surging Jack Hermansson in their Dec. 5 main event.
Israel Adesanya loves the way Darren Till strikes: ‘It’s beautiful to watch’
