Darren Till Thinks The Liverpool Crowd Might Get In Stephen Thompson’s Head
UFC Liverpool is little under a month away and the main event between Darren Till and Stephen Thompson is one of the most anticipated on the current UFC schedule.
The UFC will be visiting Liverpool for the first time and the Echo Arena is likely to play host to an incredible atmosphere come fight night. Thompson, who’s no stranger to fighting in enemy territory, has gone as far as saying he’s looking forward to fighting the hometown man in his backyard and he has a history of beating hometown fighters having defeated Rory MacDonald in Canada back in 2015.
Speaking with MTK Global this week, Till said he doesn’t think Thompson knows what he’s in for and that the Liverpool crowd is going to be something like he’s never experienced before.
“I’m sure part of him is looking forward to it but really he doesn’t know what’s coming,” Till said. “The chants will be deafening and he won’t be used to that kind of intensity of atmosphere.
“Thompson is experienced but it’s different when it’s a crowd of Scousers or an Irish crowd. They’re the most passionate fans.”
Liverpool FC are within 90 minutes of getting through the Champions League final having defeated Roma 5-2 in the first leg of their semi-final earlier this week. Should Liverpool avoid an unlikely turnaround in the second leg, the final will take place the night before UFC Liverpool on May 26 and would create the perfect weekend of celebration in one of England’s greatest cities.
Till believes the atmosphere around the city is going to be like nothing else and Thompson may not know how to handle it.
“Liverpool are playing the night before and the city will be on a high,” Till said. “This show is about me. People are coming along for the ride and supporting Team Till – not only in Liverpool but all over the world.
“I’m not sure I’d go so far as to say it could mentally destroy Thompson but it will certainly have an effect. It would do with anyone because it’s a new experience.
“When the time comes, he’ll either thrive off it or it’ll get to him in his head. It’ll be so intense. I know I’d be shocked if I was him.”
UFC Liverpool takes place on May 27 and will start at 2pm local UK time.
See our exclusive interview with Darren Till from earlier this year:
