UFC star Darren Till has sacrificed time with his newborn daughter Alba to prepare for his comeback fight.
Till, 29, is back in action for the first time in 15 months this Saturday as he faces Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 282 in Las Vegas. 'The Gorilla' is hoping to get back in the winning column having lost four of his past five fights, whilst former EFC and KSW champion Du Plessis is unbeaten for over four years.
To concentrate entirely on his fight camp, Till left his family at home and prepared by himself in Thailand. It was a tough decision to make for Till as it meant he missed the early weeks of his newborn daughter's life. "I had a newborn child about 13 weeks ago and I've only seen her once because I flew out to Thailand the day after she was born after for training camp," he told Mirror Fighting .
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"So I've cut no corners, I've absolutely given my all. When you're one of the best and you do that, it's all you can do. It's going to show, my gas tank and conditioning are unbelievable. I've trained hard and done everything I can, what more can you ask for? That's what the elites are meant to do, when you don't cut any corners, good things happen."
Till's last win came against former interim title challenger Kelvin Gastelum over three years ago and the Scouser has been warned that his career "might be over" if he loses his comeback fight. The 29-year-old is still insistent on his plans to become a UFC champion and he wants to achieve the feat to make his four daughters proud.
"The mentality doesn't change, when money isn't motivating you and it's the belt," Till added. "You want your to children to look at one and say that's what my daddy achieved so they go in school with their heads held high. I'm out here sacrificing time with my kids, there's a big purpose for it. I'd love to be home now with my kids watching Christmas films, but I've got purpose now.
"I've really missed my family, if you would have asked me a few years ago what I would have done after this fight I would have said to go and party, but now I just want to get back to my family and spend Christmas with them. I've really missed them because I haven't been home."
