UFC Liverpool’s main event is finally official: it’s the hometown hero Darren Till vs Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson in a key welterweight match-up.
The UFC is going to Liverpool, England for the first time on May 27. That much UFC fans have known for a while. Now, they know the main event. There, the card will feature top welterweights going at it: Darren Till, fresh off his dominant win over Cowboy Cerrone, will take on former title contender Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson. Thompson most recently defeated Jorge Masvidal at UFC 217. While Till’s position as headliner was unveiled when UFC Liverpool was originally announced, the pairing with Thompson was made official by the UFC on Thursday.
Till is currently undefeated in the UFC, while ‘Wonderboy’ boasts a 9-2-1 record. One of those two losses, as well as the draw, came against current UFC Welterweight champion Tyron Woodley. Till had named Thompson as one of his top opponents for the Liverpool card, and he ultimately got his wish when UFC officials announced Thursday that the fight was going down.
One of the UFC’s fastest rising stars, Till, a Liverpool native, put himself on the map with a stoppage win over Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone last October at UFC Gdansk. Now, the number seven ranked welterweight looks to put himself in the UFC title contention talks with a win over Thompson. Thompson, meanwhile, needs a couple of wins himself in order to ensure another shot at the belt and Tyron Woodley.
The headlining duo join another pair of welterweights on the card. After turning stagnant in recent months, 170lbs is suddenly back in full swing. UFC Liverpool (UFC Fight Night 130) will feature Gunnar Nelson vs. Neil Magny as its co-main event. The two fights represent an influx of fresh match-making, something the division desperately needed.
UFC Liverpool goes down May 27 at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England. The card is expected to air on UFC Fight Pass.
