Darren Till Admits Change of Heart on Andrew Tate Fight After Harsh Initial Reaction
When Andrew Tate stepped into the ring against Chase DeMoor, the bout drew heavy scrutiny from across the combat sports world. One of the strongest early critics was former UFC title challenger Darren Till, who did not hide his frustration as the fight unfolded.
Till’s first reaction was blunt. Watching the contest live, he questioned what he was witnessing and openly dismissed the matchup. He described Tate and DeMoor as “a pair of numpties” and suggested that being called out by them after the fight was disrespectful to everything he had trained for throughout his professional career. Till went on to say he walked out around the fifth round, adding that watching the fight felt like he was “actually unlearning” his craft.
The comments quickly circulated online, with many fans agreeing with Till’s assessment and others accusing him of gatekeeping combat sports. At the time, his stance was clear: influencer boxing, particularly at that level, did not sit well with someone who had spent years competing at the highest end of MMA.
SHOP: Kickboxing Equipment
Till Later Offers Respect for Tate Stepping Into the Ring
Just days later, Till’s tone shifted noticeably.
In a follow-up statement, the former UFC star acknowledged Tate’s willingness to compete, offering a far more measured take on the situation. Till said there was “big respect” for Tate getting into the ring over the weekend and added that anyone willing to step between the ropes deserves acknowledgment. While he admitted Tate may not have had everything technically in place, Till emphasized that showing up and fighting still takes courage.
“He didn’t have to, but he did,” Till said, summing up his revised view. “That’s balls in my book.”
The change in opinion did not contradict Till’s original technical criticism, but it reframed his stance. Rather than focusing purely on skill level or presentation, he shifted the conversation toward personal bravery and accountability. For a fighter who has spent his life in high-pressure environments, that distinction clearly mattered.
Till’s reversal reflects a broader tension within modern combat sports. Traditional fighters often struggle with the rise of influencer boxing, yet even the harshest critics frequently end up acknowledging the nerve it takes to compete publicly, especially under intense scrutiny.
While Till may never fully endorse bouts like Tate vs DeMoor from a sporting perspective, his updated comments show a willingness to separate technical standards from personal respect. In doing so, he highlighted a simple truth that resonates across all combat disciplines: stepping into the ring, regardless of background, still takes courage.
READ MORE: Donald Trump Commends Jake Paul for “Great Courage” After Loss to Anthony Joshua
Recent posts
