Darren Till has responded to speculation surrounding his dramatic physical transformation ahead of his successful BKFC debut, making it clear that hard work, not performance-enhancing drugs, is behind his new look.
The former UFC title challenger turned heads when he stepped on the scales for BKFC 90 in Birmingham, England. At 188.8 pounds, Darren Till was leaner and more muscular than fans had seen in years, sparking conversations online about how he achieved such a remarkable physique.
The Liverpool native went on to back up the hype with an impressive second-round knockout victory over Aaron Chalmers. While many praised his performance, others questioned whether his transformation was natural.
Till quickly dismissed those accusations.
“I’ve heard a few shouts of people saying steroids and stuff like that, and I was pleasantly unhappy about that because it’s just pure hard work,” Till said during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show.
The 33-year-old explained that months of discipline, strict dieting, and increased strength training played a major role in the changes fans saw before his BKFC debut.
“We obviously had two camps back-to-back, so I’ve sort of been in camp since February, so I think that played a big factor,” Till said.
“I’ve been very hardworking and disciplined all my life, but I was especially disciplined during this camp. I was really strict with my food, and I implemented a lot more strength training this time around. My physique changed dramatically.”
Despite the online speculation, Darren Till insisted that performance-enhancing drugs have never been part of his career.
“I’ve never dabbled in it,” Till said. “First of all, I wouldn’t even know how to go about it.”
“I think these people who use it—which, by the way, is 90 percent of the UFC roster and everything else—I think there’s a whole thing behind it with doctors and stuff like that. I just don’t know.”
“There’s too much work that goes into stuff like that. You’ve got to worry about the USADA testing and everything else. I just wouldn’t know where to start, to be honest. Me and my coach wouldn’t know where to begin. It was just pure hard work and discipline.”
While injuries contributed to the final stretch of his UFC career, particularly ongoing knee problems, Darren Till believes bare-knuckle boxing suits him perfectly.
The striking-only format removes many of the physical challenges he faced in MMA and allows him to focus on the strongest aspect of his game.
After initially expressing skepticism about BKFC, Till now appears fully invested in the promotion.
“I just wanted to feel things out when I first got in there,” Till said about his debut. “Obviously, Aaron caught me slipping for a second, but in the second round I thought, ‘Alright, time to get into it.’”
“I stopped him quite easily. It didn’t feel like it took much effort. I’ve got fast hands, power, and speed. I think I’m really going to do well in BKFC. I think I’m going to take over.”
The former UFC welterweight contender admitted the experience exceeded his expectations.
“I loved it,” Till said. “When I clipped him with that left hand, it was exhilarating. I was like, ‘Wow.’”
“If I can keep catching these guys with my left hand, I’m excited. I’m fully involved now. Fully invested.”
During the interview, Darren Till also shared his thoughts on the current state of the UFC, admitting that he no longer feels the same excitement he once did as a fan.
“I just don’t think there’s that much hype around the UFC anymore,” Till said. “I really don’t.”
“I don’t get excited for fights the way I used to, and I don’t know why. Maybe it’s not being promoted right.”
Till also took aim at UFC CEO Dana White, revealing that he has largely lost interest in White’s public appearances.
“I don’t like saying this because he’s a good guy, but I’ve really gone off every interview Dana does,” Till said. “I can’t watch any interview with him anymore. I just can’t.”
For now, Darren Till appears focused on building momentum in BKFC. With a dominant debut behind him and renewed confidence in his striking career, the former UFC star believes his best days may still be ahead of him, just in a different combat sport.
