Till (photo via YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Although Darren Till only has one win at middleweight, the former welterweight contender is making the case that if he beats Robert Whittaker on Saturday, a title shot should come next.

Till is booked to fight the former middleweight champ in the headliner of UFC Fight Island 3, which will take place in Abu Dhabi. The bout will mark the first time Till has fought since last November, when he recorded a split decision win over Kelvin Gastelum. That fight was Till’s middleweight debut.

While speaking to the media ahead of Saturday’s contest, Till (18-2-1) outlined why he believes a win will push him into a title fight (quote via MMA Junkie).

“If I beat Robert Whittaker on Saturday night, the only way to go is to the title,” Till said. “A lot of people say, ‘Well, he’s only had two fights,’ but look at my two fights. This is why for every young fighter out there, or every fighter in the UFC, you shouldn’t turn down fights. You have to take these big risks because they’ll pay off.

“I didn’t call for a title shot after I beat Stephen Thompson in Liverpool because I didn’t quite feel like I deserved it. But if I beat Robert Whittaker on Saturday, which is a big ask and a big mountain to climb, the only fight for me is (Israel) Adesanya, but him and (Paulo) Costa are scheduled to fight. The only fight for me is a title fight.”

Heading into the UFC’s latest card, Till is currently ranked #5 in the middleweight division and Whittaker (20-5) is sitting in the #1 contender spot. Whittaker has yet to compete since he was stopped by current champ, Israel Adesanya last October.