Darren Till predicts third-round KO vs. Stephen Thompson: I don’t see where he’s better than me

Last October, welterweight contender Darren Till picked up the biggest win of his career when he knocked out Donald Cerrone in the first round of their headliner fight in Poland. On May 27^th, he aims to continue his streak when he faces Stephen Thompson in his hometown of Liverpool.

In a recent appearance on the Obviously Fight Talk podcast, “The Gorilla” made his own forecast on how he thinks the fight against “Wonderboy” will end, as he aims to shut down naysayers who still are not sold on his “hype train.”

“Third-round knockout,” Till said (transcript via MMA Fighting).

“As soon as I beat Stephen everyone will know that I’m the best striker in the welterweight division. As soon as I beat him on the 27th then people can stop talking about my hype train.”

Thompson’s strongest suit has so far been his striking game, given his Kempo Karate background. Till, however, sees no threat from his upcoming opponent, wherever the fight goes.

“Striking-wise, I don’t think it’s too early because I’ve been striking my whole life and so has he. I wouldn’t say [it’s early] in terms of that and even in MMA, I wouldn’t say his wrestling caliber is any better than mine, or his ground game,” Till said.

“I know he’s got some good training partners — Chris Weidman and that — but I don’t see where he is better than me anywhere. I just think my striking is better than his and I’m going to beat him.”

Thompson last saw action at UFC 217 last November in New York City, where he defeatedJorge Masvidal via a unanimous decision verdict.