Derek Brunson and Darren Till (right)(image via UFC/YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Darren Till’s hopes of winning the UFC’s middleweight title suffered another setback at the hands of Derek Brunson. But, Michael Bisping is reporting the fighter’s camp for the pivotal fight was impacted by a significant, knee injury.

Till faced Bruson in the headliner of UFC Vegas 36 on Saturday, and he was submitted by the latter in round three. Prior to the fight-ending submission, Brunson dominated much of the action with his wrestling and top game.

More recently, however, Bisping spoke with BT Sports. According to the former middleweight champ, after Till’s loss, he learned that the outspoken fighter tore his ACL leading up to the fight (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“I went backstage to see Darren after the fight,” Bisping said. “He was very disappointed, of course, but he’s a man. He was holding it together. He was frustrated, and understandably so. I spent about 30 minutes with him and Colin Heron, just talking to him and giving him some advice. Perhaps I’m breaking guy code here, but there was an injury coming into that fight. He tore his ACL about 10 weeks ago and he never mentioned it.

“It’s an excuse, it’s a reason, whatever you want to call it. He never mentioned it, and I’m sure Derek had problems, as well. But certainly with that kind of injury – and he said he was having all kinds of medical treatment leading up to the fight – of course, with that injury, it would’ve hampered his performance. But still, you can’t take away from Derek Brunson on that night. Darren chose to step in.”

During the segment, Bisping also relayed that he believes Till (18-4-1) should consider moving back down to welterweight. The Liverpool fighter has gone 1-4 now in his last 5 bouts.