It certainly doesn’t sound like enemy territory for Darren Till.
Till will fight in the eighth different country of his mixed martial arts career when he takes to the Octagon for his first shot at UFC gold on Saturday night.
Liverpool’s Till has been backed into favourite against UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley in the main event of UFC 228 and the crowd seems to be predominantly pro-Till.
Despite the fact that a Brit is fighting an American in the notoriously patriotic Texas, Till got a much better reception than the defending champion when both 170lbers took to the stage for the ceremonial weigh-ins on Friday night.
It’s Official!!@TWooodley vs. @DarrenTill2 for the welterweight title at #UFC228 tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/aUmHQdjS2h
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) September 7, 2018
Plenty of Scousers have made the trip to the Lone Star State but even without the travelling support, the undefeated Till seems to be the overall fan favourite going into UFC 228’s headliner.
UFC President Dana White was not surprised to see the difference in how the crowd reacted to both men involved in this weekend’s main event.
“Tyron Woodley is good-looking, he’s got the perfect physique, he’s got the record and he’s got knockout power in both hands but every time Tyron Woodley opens his mouth, he shoots himself in the foot,” White told BT Sport.
“He’s a very unlikeable guy to fight fans and Till is the exact opposite.
“When you’re from England and you’re in the United States, in Texas, and they’re booing the American guy and cheering the English guy, I think that sums it up and says it all about how your fans feel about you.
“It’s the way Tyron Woodley has always been and it’s the way Tyron Woodley will always be; win, lose or draw.”
