Darren Till used all five rounds to reel in his biggest fish yet.
The undefeated Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight contender used clubbing overhand lefts and clever leg kicks to outpoint Stephen Thompson in the UFC Fight Night 130 headliner on Sunday at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England. Scores were 48-47, 49-46 and 49-46, as Till (17-0-1, 5-0-1 UFC) cleared another significant hurdle in his development.
It felt closer than the scores indicated. Thompson (14-3-1, 9-3-1 UFC) leaned on his lateral movement, darting punches and occasional flurries. However, the South Carolina-based karateka spent most of the fight moving backwards, with Till in relentless pursuit.