Darren Till has sounded off on UFC great Daniel Cormier over his defense of Usman Nurmagomedov after UFC Shanghai.

Darren Till has directed considerable criticism at UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier.

The Englishman, in an NSFW tirade, suggested that Cormier goes to unreasonable lengths to defend the Nurmagomedov family. Till’s remarks come in the wake of PFL staple and potential future UFC star Usman Nurmagomedov‘s actions at UFC Shanghai. 

Cormier, a former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion, has extensively trained with multiple members of the Nurmagomedov family at the AKA (American Kickboxing Academy) in San Jose, California, over the years. 

Darren Till rebukes Daniel Cormier after his defense of Usman Nurmagomedov following Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Song Yadong at UFC Shanghai

UFC bantamweight elites Song Yadong and Umar Nurmagomedov clashed in the headlining match of UFC Shanghai in the former’s native China on August 29. “The Kung Fu Kid” emerged victorious, viciously knocking out Nurmagomedov in the second round. 

Umar Nurmagomedov’s younger brother, PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov, was in his corner for the fight, as was their cousin — former UFC lightweight kingpin and retired MMA star Khabib Nurmagomedov. 

Well, Usman Nurmagomedov, upon seeing his brother out on the mat, scaled the Octagon fence and rushed to him before the medical personnel could. During that sequence, a celebrating Yadong almost received — what many noted was — a spinning elbow from Usman. 

His jumping the fence rather than waiting for the personnel to attend to Umar — and nearly hitting Yadong with an elbow — sparked massive outrage. Usman Nurmagomedov later claimed that he would’ve hit Yadong if he wanted to but didn’t intend to do so. 

Moreover, UFC fighter-turned-commentator Daniel Cormier defended Usman Nurmagomedov, seemingly citing that he was emotional and simply wanted to protect his brother who’d been knocked out. Some critics castigated “DC,” asserting that he — as a UFC representative and MMA veteran — mustn’t defend the act of blatantly breaking corner rules and endangering fighter safety. 

Taking to X, former UFC welterweight and middleweight star Darren Till went off on Cormier. The BKFC star wrote: 

“Why is DC always on the defensive of the Nurmagemadovs? Baffles me? You as a company man should he shouldn’t have stormed the octagon like that.” 

He added, “The guy is celebrating his big knockout against a huge name. Bit somehow you have found a way to defend him you little potato head. Why why why?” 

Till continued, “I am going to be honest as much as I think you are one of the best fighters ever in the UFC. The way you are as a company man and he views are f**king sh**. Stop commentating and go and be an ambassador for fat camp you f**king potato man constantly finding excuses for that side. You little potato.” 

Why is DC always on the defensive of the Nurmagemadovs?
Baffles me?
You as a company man should he shouldn’t have stormed the octagon like that.
The guy is celebrating his big knockout against a huge name.
Bit somehow you have found a way to defend him you little potato head.…

— DT (@darrentill2) September 1, 2026
Darren Till heads into high-profile Yoel Romero bare-knuckle boxing match at BKFC 94 in Manchester; Usman Nurmagomedov’s future is shrouded in mystery

Darren Till could be on the cusp of title contention as a bare-knuckle boxer in the BKFC if he wins his next fight. The Liverpudlian, who’s even hinted at a possible UFC comeback, is booked to face fellow UFC alum Yoel Romero. They’ll headline a stacked card, BKFC 94, in Manchester on September 26. 

On the other hand, Usman Nurmagomedov completed his PFL deal’s final fight on July 31, defending his lightweight belt by knocking out Archie Colgan. While the PFL does have a 90-day exclusive negotiation window with him, he’s strongly hinted that he’s likely to join the UFC. Nevertheless, nothing’s been officially announced as of yet. 

Furthermore, Song Yadong has called for a UFC bantamweight championship opportunity next, and Umar Nurmagomedov has vowed to bounce back from his UFC Shanghai setback.