The Misfits Boxing 22 event held at Manchester’s AO Arena delivered an electrifying night packed with intense bouts, thrilling comebacks, and unforgettable knockouts. Headlined by the high-profile showdown between former UFC champions Darren Till and Luke Rockhold, the night also featured a stunning return for grappling ace Dillon Danis, and an emotional resurgence for UFC veteran Tony Ferguson.
Dillon Danis Stuns with Lightning-Fast Win
One of the most talked-about moments from the evening was Dillon Danis’s emphatic and sudden victory in his first MMA fight since 2019. Facing Warren Spencer, a white belt with limited experience, Danis wasted no time. Immediately engaging after the opening exchanges, Danis capitalized on an unfortunate clinch attempt by Spencer, swiftly executing a submission in just 16 seconds. This comeback win showcased Danis’s world-class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills and determined mindset, setting the tone for the rest of the night.
Darren Till Shines in Rivalry Clash Against Luke Rockhold
The evening’s main card was highlighted by a long-anticipated and bitterly contested matchup between Darren Till and Luke Rockhold. These two former UFC stars, who had never competed directly during their MMA careers, finally collided in the Misfits Boxing ring amid a fiery buildup.
The fight started cautiously but escalated rapidly. Till landed a devastating left hand in the opening round, nearly ending the bout before the bell saved Rockhold. Determined, both fighters traded hard shots through the first two rounds, with Rockhold displaying moments of resilience. However, midway through round three, Till unleashed a perfectly timed knockout punch that sent Rockhold crashing to the canvas. The victory not only granted Till a third straight headline triumph in 2025 but also ignited calls from fans and pundits alike to see him square off against boxing legend Carl Froch next.
Tony Ferguson Ends a Six-Year Drought with a KO Win Over Salt Papi
Another significant fight featured former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson making his boxing debut against social media sensation Salt Papi. Despite Salt Papi’s youth and powerful counters, Ferguson patiently stalked and outpaced his opponent throughout the three-round bout.
In a dramatic third round, Ferguson delivered a series of punishing blows that overwhelmed Salt Papi and culminated in a TKO finish. This win marked Ferguson’s first victory in over six years and a triumphant return to the spotlight, proving that his competitive fire remains undiminished.
Additional Highlights and Undercard Drama
Besides the marquee fights, the event was packed with exciting contests across various disciplines:
- Polish MMA star Amadeusz Ferrari returned to the Misfits ring, facing Rahim Pardesi. Despite high expectations, Pardesi emerged with a fourth-round knockout, much to his supporters’ delight.
- Chase DeMoor successfully defended his heavyweight title after a tense bout against Polish prankster Natan Marcon. The fight was stopped in the second round due to Marcon’s injury.
- A notable traditional boxing contest for WBA super-middleweight rankings saw Ty Mitchell edge out Sean Hemphill by a narrow split decision after ten grueling rounds.
- The undercard included entertaining influencer fights and celebrity bouts, including a hard-fought war between reality TV personality Joey Essex and Portuguese fighter Numeiro.
Looking Ahead
With the buzz generated from Misfits Boxing 22, the future looks bright for crossover combat sports. Dillon Danis’s explosive comeback and Darren Till’s dominant knockout performance especially stand out, promising more thrilling matchups ahead.
The crowd at AO Arena also witnessed indications of future mega-fights. Darren Till’s post-fight call-out of Carl Froch points toward intriguing potential showdowns in the near future. Meanwhile, Tony Ferguson’s impressive win has reignited interest in his career beyond MMA.
This dynamic event reiterated Misfits Boxing’s growing reputation for mixing traditional combat sports stars with influencers and MMA veterans, offering fans a fresh and exhilarating fight night experience every time.
Stay tuned for more updates as these fighters continue their journeys in and out of the cage, and as Misfits Boxing evolves into a major fixture on the combat sports calendar.
