Darren Till has finally secured a championship, claiming the inaugural MFB bridgerweight title. While it isn’t a UFC belt, the win carries considerable significance, particularly as he faced former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold. In a six-round bout, Rockhold made his boxing debut, while Till brought far more ring experience.

Ultimately, the contest concluded in the third round when, at the 1:08 mark, 32-year-old ‘The Gorilla’ knocked out the veteran Rockhold. The finish extended Till’s professional boxing record to 3-0 and marked his first win under the Misfits Boxing banner, a promotion that has blurred the lines between traditional combat sports and crossover entertainment. Calculated risk has defined coming off his victory over Darren Stewart last year and sacrifice. After consecutive losses in the UFC, he left in 2023 to pursue more lucrative opportunities in boxing—a decision even UFC CEO Dana White backed. Nevertheless, Darren Till’s dominant showing against the eight-year-older Rockhold drew its share of criticism.

Rockhold stumbled against the ropes during the bout, drawing immediate scrutiny from fans, analysts, and sports journalists. In recapping the clash between the former MMA stars, an internet sensation and fight analyst praised Darren Till’s performance. The guru remarked, “DARREN TILL DESTROYS LUKE ROCKHOLD AND FLATLINES HIM OUT COLD IN ROUND 3! #Misfits22,” while also speculating on a potential matchup against KSI: “Knocks him down in round one, dominates the range and finishes in the third with a nasty combo. Till honestly would destroy KSI, run it.”

Now 32, Darren Till has reinvented his career in boxing, boasting a perfect 3-0 record and thrilling fans with his striking power. However, the bout has sparked debate over the referee’s handling of the fight. Here’s a closer look at fans’ reactions.

Journalist and fans criticize the referee’s handling of Darren Till vs Luke Rockhold at Misfits 22

Referees often find themselves in the crosshairs, because their split-second decisions inside the cage can shape careers—and sometimes even put fighters’ safety on the line. This level of scrutiny has intensified* in recent UFC events, from Shanghai to UFC 319, where officials faced intense backlash. Now, a similar controversy has emerged under a different spotlight.

After witnessing Luke Rockhold suffer a brutal knockout, journalist Luke Thomas didn’t hold back. “Rockhold’s knee touches the canvas in the second and the ref doesn’t call it,” he said, calling the bout a “clown show.” Unsurprisingly, the comment quickly gained traction on social media, reflecting widespread fan frustration. Fans were equally vocal. For instance, one remarked that Rockhold “folded” like a chair, underlining the severity of the knockout.

Meanwhile, Darren Till’s win marked his second career knockout, emphasizing just how dangerous his hands are—10 of his 18 MMA victories have come via KO. Additionally, one admirer wrote, “I’ve always been a big fan of Darren Till’s boxing skillet,” while another speculated that, with sharper grappling, Till could have dominated in the UFC and even claimed a middleweight title.

Looking ahead, current middleweight champion Jack Della Maddalena, known for his striking but also competent grappling, is slated to face Islam Makhachev in November. Fan frustration lingers over the referee’s delayed stoppage, especially as Rockhold was clearly unconscious. As one fan put it, “Ref saw him folded and started counting… I’m crying.”

Adding to the intrigue, Rockhold’s camp has yet to comment publicly on whether he plans to continue boxing after the loss. His silence has led to speculation that this may have been a one-off payday rather than the beginning of a sustained boxing career. Fans on X joked that Rockhold “retired again before the post-fight press conference,” while others expressed concern for his long-term health after multiple brutal stoppages across MMA and boxing.

What’s your take on the Darren Till vs. Luke Rockhold showdown? Did the referee really mess up, or was it all part of the game? Do you think Luke Thomas and the fans are overreacting, or are their reactions justified? Drop your thoughts below.