Derek Brunson Signs With BKFC, Sets Up Possible Till Rematch

Derek Brunson has signed a multi-fight deal with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship and will make his promotional debut against the backdrop of a possible rematch with Darren Till, the man he lost to inside the UFC.

Brunson, 42, will fight on BKFC's "Fight Night" card on Friday, Nov. 20, 2026, at Myrtle Beach Sports Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The move brings him into the same promotion as Till, who he submitted at UFC Vegas 36.

Why This Matters for a Till Rematch

Brunson holds a finish over Till from their 2021 middleweight meeting, and now both men are under the same banner. Till joined BKFC back in April, and his addition to the roster means the promotion has two fighters with real history on its books. Nothing has been made official beyond Brunson's signing itself, and Till has yet to comment on his former opponent joining the promotion.

Brunson has not fought since dropping a decision to Rodolfo Vieira at ADXC 7 in late 2024, a grappling-based promotion far removed from the striking demands of bare-knuckle boxing. He sounded eager to get moving again. "I'm excited to compete again," Brunson said. "I've been training for the past three years, getting my younger guys ready. Time to get back out there and have some fun. I have a very strong grind in me right now."

BKFC founder and president David Feldman made clear the promotion views Brunson as a marquee addition. "We're honored to have Derek Brunson sign with BKFC," Feldman said. "We've long admired his world class skills and can't wait to see him in the Squared Circle. We're positive he's going to make some serious noise fighting for BKFC."

What It Means Competitively

Brunson spent over a decade in the UFC's middleweight division, built around wrestling and a heavy left hand, which should translate reasonably well to bare-knuckle rules that still reward power and control on the inside. But a three-year layoff and a move to a discipline without gloves is no small adjustment, and his most recent outing was a loss in a completely different rule set. Till, by contrast, is already established in BKFC after joining in April, giving him a head start on learning the sport's pace and distance management, two things that matter enormously without padded fists.

For bettors, this is one to simply track for now rather than price. No opponent has been named for Brunson's Nov. 20 debut, so there is nothing to handicap yet beyond the broader storyline. If the promotion does eventually pair him with Till, expect plenty of market interest given the submission history between the two, but until that fight is actually booked, any odds talk is premature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Derek Brunson sign with BKFC?

Yes, Derek Brunson signed a multi-fight deal with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship and will make his debut on Nov. 20, 2026, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Will Derek Brunson fight Darren Till in BKFC?

No rematch has been announced. Both fighters are now signed with BKFC, with Darren Till having joined in April, but no opponent has been named for Brunson's debut.

When did Derek Brunson last fight?

Derek Brunson's last fight was a loss to Rodolfo Vieira at ADXC 7 in late 2024 before signing with BKFC.