Former UFC fighter Darren Till has extended his support to his “friend” Daniel Kinahan following his arrest in Dubai late last week.
The cartel leader is currently detained in the United Arab Emirates facing extradition to Ireland to face organised crime offences.
Kinahan previously headed MTK Global, a boxing and MMA management company, which was shuttered in 2022.
Till was one of a number of fighters who were represented by Kinahan, and had staunchly defended the crime boss’ controversial role in combat sports in the past.
Darren Till (left) with Kinahan in Dubai
In 2020, the Liverpool native said: “Yes I am friends with Daniel Kinahan… and what?
“I’ve never hidden his friendship and why should I when the man has given me more valuable advice as a friend than anyone I’ve ever met in a professional capacity.”
When asked about Kinahan’s arrest on The Ariel Helwani Show on Monday, the 33-year-old said: “I mean if the USA government wants you, are they going to get you at some point? Yeah maybe, maybe not”.
Till then admitted that he had not “looked into it much” but added: “I just hope he’s okay. That’s all I can say about it really.”
Till is set to face Aaron Chalmers in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship – part-owned by Conor McGregor – in Birmingham on May 30 but has been struggling with visa issues to get into the US for fights.
Spanish cops seize over 100 torture photos at apartment used by Kinahan-linked Lyons gang members
“I do have visa problems as we speak so I’m working on trying to get them sorted so I can fight in the States and you can all see me again.”
When asked whether his visa issues were related to the “Kinahan stuff”, he said: “I don’t know. Maybe, maybe not, but I think what it does boil down to is when I was doing my ESTA many years ago, I think I put incorrect information over a criminal conviction so I think that’s what stopped me getting in but who knows?
“I don’t think it is tied to that because I’m not tied into any of that, am I? I was Kinahan’s friend so can’t go to America for that, is it?”
In December 2021, Till – who has no involvement in crime – and gang boss Kinahan were pictured enjoying a late night stroll together on a beach in Dubai.
On Tuesday this week, a key member of the Kinahan cartel has been arrested in Spain in the latest blow against the notorious transnational crime organisation.
It comes as uncertainty still surrounds when Kinahan will be extradited back to Ireland after his dramatic arrest on Friday.
Senior member of Kinahan gang arrested in Spain in latest blow against cartel
Senior sources have confirmed that gardai are aware that the north Dublin gunman aged in his late 30s was arrested in the Marbella area over the weekend.
Daniel Kinahan’s father and brother, Christy Kinahan senior and junior, remain at large and are believed to be in the UAE.
It is believed Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) is considering bringing murder charges against Daniel Kinahan.
Kinahan has long been suspected of ordering murders and hit attempts carried out by the cartel as part of the feud, but now gardaí believe analysis of encrypted communications and other evidence can link him to some of those crimes.
He is currently being detained in Al Awir Central – a large prison complex in the desert that has been described as the “Dubai version of Alcatraz”.
Inside Daniel Kinahan’s life of luxury in Dubai with wife Caoimhe Robinson
The facility on the outskirts of Dubai is just a 45-minute drive from the glitzy Palm Jumeirah resort where Kinahan spent his final hours before his arrest.
But the conditions at Al Awir could not be further from the five-star luxury that Kinahan has become accustomed to during his time in the UAE.
With his extradition to Ireland is likely to be fast-tracked by authorities, meaning he may only spend a brief period in the “hellhole” facility where Kinahan associate Sean McGovern spent time before his own extradition last year.