How It was Booked: A History of Interactions Between Darren Till & Jorge Masvidal
How did they interact before the fight was booked, though? Let's take a look at a history of their interactions leading to a fight that was more than a year in the making.
Best striker at 170 pounds?
Till and Masvidal didn't really interact or talk about each other until 2018, but there is one interesting tweet from the Liverpool native when he was responding to a fan. When asked who the best striker in the welterweight division was after him and whether it was Masvidal, Till jokingly responded.
I'm the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Jorge is 4th
— Darren Till (@darrentill2) September 5, 2017
UFC Liverpool
In early 2018, there was the big news that the Ultimate Fighting Championship would be heading to Liverpool for the first time in May with Till headlining the event. However, he had no opponent at the time. He would eventually face Stephen Thompson and win an extremely close unanimous decision. Before that, the 26-year-old wanted Masvidal as his dance partner.
Asked @darrentill2 his thoughts on fighting @GamebredFighter. His response: “I’d love to have a tear up with Masvidal. He’s from the old school and is game as fuck. I believe me and him would make a war.“
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) March 16, 2018
July free as can be homie https://t.co/zM9jb5Q8WU
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) March 17, 2018
Masvidal was intent on fighting in July but would mention Till's name in a positive manner a few days later while in a back-and-forth with Kamaru Usman, who recently became the new welterweight champion at UFC 235.
Usman, at the time, claimed "Gamebred" was one of many welterweights refusing to fight him which Masvidal balked at.
You must be as 2 faced as people say you are for posting this with my name in it. Lets see I’ve agreed to fight #1 at the time Maia, #2 at the time Thompson now I’ve been offered #7 Till which I more than welcome cause it’s a dude that actually fights and doesn’t run his mouth https://t.co/yNnX9Xmawy
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) March 21, 2018
Basically @darrentill2 can see me in July and if he can’t then your death certificate will be signed #pusman https://t.co/IdJYMTuJuL
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) March 21, 2018
Meanwhile, following his win over Thompson, Till still wanted Masvidal as a potential next opponent, although there were other names on his short list as well.
"I want Usman or Masvidal. I just don't want to say the winner of Colby-RDA. The winner of that should fight Woodley." - @DarrenTill2#UFCLiverpool backstage interview pic.twitter.com/IN1h2z6bBn
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) May 28, 2018
Fight finally gets made
Although he wanted to face another contender next, circumstances saw Till challenge Tyron Woodley for the welterweight title next at UFC 228 in September. It was a losing effort, however, as the Englishman was submitted by Woodley in the second round.
Meanwhile, Masvidal seemed to be penciled in for a return against Nick Diaz for UFC 235 according to an ESPN report late last year. However, it never came to fruition, and Masvidal was struggling to find an opponent, particularly for UFC on ESPN 3 which was initially taking place in his hometown of Miami on April 27. The Cuban-American would then reach out to Till in January and offered that they both fought.
@darrentill2 I hear you having the same probs I am trying to find someone to fight you in your backyard. I love fighting in other peoples backyards. I’m game if ufc can make it happen
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) January 14, 2019
— Darren Till (@darrentill2) January 14, 2019
The fight was then confirmed just a few days later.
