"He's pretty witty on social media, but I'm sure I can outsmart him."
Darren Till is possibly the biggest troll on the UFC roster - but either way he doesn't care.
The Liverpudlian has repeatedly landed himself in hot water with the promotion's bigwigs, but has never changed tact.
He doesn't care about offending people or being "cancelled".
Trolling is an integral part of his pre-fight strategy - every opponent gets it. Martin Vettori's Italian mannerisms were mocked back in June, for example.
Till's next opponent, Derek Brunson, is the most recent star to be on the receiving end of Till's trolling.
He was tagged in a post simply captioned "I love my afternoon ?s."
The Liverpudlian didn't stop there. Ahead of their clash this Saturday at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas, Till has sent Brunson plenty of Instagram DMs, but one in particular stands out.
Brunson told JOE: "Darren Till said 'I hope you and your family are having a good weekend.' And then 10 seconds later, he gave me the middle finger."
Brunson admitted the same at a press conference earlier this week, but said he isn't fazed by these messages.
"I think Till's just being himself. It doesn't get under my skin.
"It's all in good spirits. Till's a guy who will come out and bring the fight regardless."
On a four-fight winning streak, Brunson believes he has Till's number, and is planning on showing that come Saturday.
"He's pretty witty on social media, but I believe in a fight game and I'm sure I can outsmart him and outthink him."
On the topic of Jake Paul versus Tyron Woodley, Brunson said he was in contact with the YouTuber prior to his win over former NBA star Nate Robinson.
Surprisingly, he said he fully expected Paul to beat Woodley, even when many in the UFC predicted a clear win for the ex-welterweight champion.
"He [Jake Paul] asked me to come out to Vegas and train with him," Brunson said.
"I was actually busy that weekend so I didn't go, but if either Paul brother got in touch and wanted to try MMA I'd say let's train."
https://twitter.com/JOE_co_uk/status/1187404382163361792?s=20
Brunson has earmarked a rematch with reigning middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, should he overcome Darren Till this weekend at UFC Fight Night.
"I know what I have to do here, and that's impress and get a finish," Brunson explained.
"I should be getting the next title shot."
