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Tag: Dillon Danis

  • Khamzat Chimaev Books Surprise June 13 Return Against Polarizing MMA Star After UFC 328 Defeat

    Khamzat Chimaev Books Surprise June 13 Return Against Polarizing MMA Star After UFC 328 Defeat

    Khamzat Chimaev isnā€™t wasting any time getting back into competition after suffering the first loss of his professional MMA career at UFC 328.

    Just days after dropping the middleweight title to Sean Strickland in a grueling five-round battle, Chimaev already has his next matchup booked, though it wonā€™t take place inside the Octagon.

    Instead, “Borz” will return to the wrestling mats next month as part of Real American Freestyleā€™s upcoming RAF 10 event in St. Louis.

    The matchup marks Chimaevā€™s promotional debut for RAF and his first official wrestling appearance in several years.

    His opponent will be none other than Dillon Danis, the controversial grappling specialist and longtime combat sports agitator who recently competed under the RAF banner against former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington.

    Khamzat Chimaev vs. Dillon Danis Booked For RAF 10

    RAF officially announced the matchup on Tuesday, confirming the bout will headline RAF 10 on June 13 at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, Missouri.

    The event comes less than a week after “Borz” lost a split decision to Strickland at UFC 328, ending both his undefeated MMA streak and his short-lived middleweight title reign.

    While the Chechen star remains focused on eventually reclaiming UFC gold, the RAF appearance gives him an opportunity to stay active without immediately jumping back into another brutal MMA training camp.

    It also potentially signals the beginning of his long-rumored move to light heavyweight. Chimaev has openly discussed being finished with difficult middleweight weight cuts, and competing in a heavier wrestling matchup could serve as a transition toward a future UFC run at 205 pounds.

    Danis, meanwhile, enters the matchup looking to rebound after losing to Covington via technical fall during his RAF debut earlier this year. Once viewed as one of the elite grapplers in the sport, Danis initially rose to prominence as a training partner of Conor McGregor before building his own polarizing reputation through MMA, boxing, and social media controversies.

    RAF 10 will also feature additional high-profile names, including Tony Ferguson vs. Arman Tsarukyan and Aaron Pico vs. Lance Palmer.

  • Dana White Doesnā€™t Want Dillon Danis Anywhere Near UFC 328 Amid Khamzat Chimaev-Sean Strickland Fight Week Chaos

    Dana White Doesnā€™t Want Dillon Danis Anywhere Near UFC 328 Amid Khamzat Chimaev-Sean Strickland Fight Week Chaos

    Dana White has once again made it clear that Dillon Danis is not welcome anywhere near the UFC, especially during one of the most volatile fight weeks the promotion has seen in years.

    Speaking during a recent appearance on Nina Marie Daniele’s KICK stream, White joked ā€” while also sounding genuinely cautious ā€” about the possibility of Danis showing up at UFC 328 in Newark this weekend amid the already explosive tensions surrounding Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland.

    ā€œDillon, if you show up on Saturday, maybe the Muslim Brotherhood will be so focused on you they won’t be able to go after Sean,ā€ White said.

    The comment comes as security has already been heavily increased throughout UFC 328 fight week following repeated hostile exchanges between Chimaev and Strickland.

    The two middleweights nearly erupted into a physical altercation during Thursdayā€™s press conference, where “Borz” kicked Strickland during an intense faceoff that immediately triggered a massive security response.

    UFC 322 Crowd Brawl Still Hangs Over Dillon Danis

    Whiteā€™s warning also ties directly back to the chaos that unfolded at UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden late last year.

    During the event, “El Jefe” became involved in a massive crowd brawl linked to members of Islam Makhachevā€™s entourage after allegedly provoking them cageside. Videos from the incident appeared to show multiple people throwing punches inside the packed arena.

    Several fighters connected to Team Makhachev were reportedly involved in the altercation, including Abubakar Nurmagomedov and Magomed Zaynukov, also known online as ā€œJohn Pork.ā€

    The UFC CEO later publicly blamed Danis for the incident and announced that the polarizing fighter would never attend another UFC event again.

  • Colby Covington Fires Off Challenge To Chris Weidman After One-Sided Win Over Dillon Danis At RAF 07

    Colby Covington Fires Off Challenge To Chris Weidman After One-Sided Win Over Dillon Danis At RAF 07

    Colby Covington showcased his wrestling superiority as he dominated Dillon Danis with a tech fall victory in the RAF 7 co-main event on Saturday.

    The former interim UFC welterweight champion got off to a sluggish start, allowing Danis to tie the first period 4-4. But Covington’s All-American wrestling background took over in the second period as he began systematically breaking down his opponent.

    “Chaos” secured a takedown to open the second period and immediately went to work turning Danis on the mat. The points began accumulating quickly as Covington executed snap downs and go-behinds to build his lead.

    The contest was stopped when Covington led 14-4, earning the tech fall victory. Danis looked disappointed in his performance but left the mats without incident following his unsuccessful RAF debut.

    Following his dominant performance, Covington immediately set his sights on another former UFC middleweight champion for his next RAF appearance.

    “I want Chris Weidman,” Covington shouted after the match. “Let’s find out who the real American is right here on the Real American Freestyle mats. Get off your couch, pack a lunch because it’s go time.”

    The victory marks Colby Covingtonā€™s second win in the wrestling promotion, having previously secured a technical fall over former UFC champion Luke Rockhold at RAF 05 earlier this year.

    The 38-year-old Californian last competed inside the Octagon at UFC Tampa in December 2024, where he suffered a TKO defeat to Joaquin Buckley. ā€œChaosā€ currently holds a 12-5 record in the UFC, with an overall professional tally of 17-5.

  • Colby Covington Gets Technical Fall Win Over Dillon Danis

    Colby Covington Gets Technical Fall Win Over Dillon Danis

    Dillon Danis put up a strong first period, but Colby Covington’s All-American background took over, scoring a technical fall in the co-main event of RAF 07 in Tampa, Florida.

    Danis looked for a takedown early, but Covington quickly got around him and tripped up Danis. Upon the restart, however, Danis tied things up at two by scoring a takedown. Covington picked up a couple of more points by making Danis step out. Danis, however, landed another takedown and tied the bout at four points apiece.

    Covington got Danis down seconds into the second frame, landing four points pretty quickly. Covington got a front headlock and got behind Danis, bringing him down and scoring another two points.

    Covington continued his second-period domination, scoring another four points to bring the bout to 14-4 in his favor, giving “Chaos” a technical fall win.

    Colby Covington Dominates Dillon Danis In Second Period For Technical Fall Win

    Covington has competed once in RAF, defeating Luke Rockhold, while Danis made his RAF debut tonight.

    Covington has not fought in MMA since losing to Joaquin Buckley at UFC Tampa in December 2024.

    Danis is 3-0 in MMA and the current Misfits MMA light heavyweight champion. Danis, a former training partner of Conor McGregor, also fought Logan Paul in boxing, getting disqualified.

  • RAF 07 Results: Tsarukyan vs. Poullas 2

    RAF 07 Results: Tsarukyan vs. Poullas 2

    RAF 07 results and highlights are updated live as the action unfolds from the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida. The main event will feature a middleweight rematch between Arman Tsarukyan and Georgio Poullas. MMANews has you covered with all the results and highlights!

    Arman Tsarukyan vs. Georgio Poullas – Middleweight Main Event

    This will be a rematch from their infamous matchup at RAF 06 one month ago, which saw Tsarukyan win 5-3. Tsarukyan was fouled a number of times by Poullas during the bout, and Tsarukyan responded by shoving Poullas to the ground following the matchup. Officials intervened before the two could come to blows.

    Prior to that matchup, Tsarukyan made his RAF debut at RAF 05, defeating Lance Palmer. He most recently competed against Muhammad Mokaev in a grappling matchup, scoring a submission win. Tsarukyan last fought in MMA in November, defeating Dan Hooker in the main event of UFC Qatar.

    Poullas, a freestyle and folkstyle wrestler who competed at Cleveland State University and Rider University, also made his RAF debut at RAF 05, scoring a technical fall over Keelon Jimison.

    The evening’s co-feature bout will feature another bad-blooded rivalry, as, following a recent callout, Colby Covington takes Dillon Danis.

    This will mark the RAF debut for Covington, a former NCAA Division-I All-American in wrestling. Covington hasn’t competed in combat sports since getting stopped by Joaquin Buckley in the main event of UFC Tampa in December 2024.

    Danis will also make his RAF debut tonight. He is a former Pan Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi champion and the current Misfits MMA light heavyweight champion. Danis is 3-0 in MMA and once fought Logan Paul to a DQ loss in boxing.

    RAF 07 will also feature four title fights: Kyle Dake defending the cruiserweight title against Parker Keckeisen, Kyle Snyder and Akhmed Tazhudinov competing for the vacant light heavyweight title, Kennedy Blades facing Milana Dudieva for the women’s middleweight title, and Wyatt Hendrickson defending the heavyweight title against Trent Hillger.

    If you can’t watch the action, check here for all the latest results and highlights from RAF 07!

    How to Watch RAF 07

    • Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
    • Venue: Yuengling Center, Tampa, Florida
    • Streaming: FOX Nation (Exclusive)
    • Start Time: 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT

    RAF 07 Results & Highlights

    Full Card Results (FOX Nation, 8 PM ET)

    Featherweight: Conor Beebe vs. Johnni DiJulius

    Result: Johnni DiJulius def. Conor Beebe via decision (9-6)

    Light Heavyweight: Pat Downey vs. Trent Hidlay

    Result: Trent Hidlay def. Pat Downey via technical fall (12-0)

    Middleweight: Jason Nolf vs. Tajmuraz Salkazanov

    Result: Jason Nolf def. Tajmuraz Salkazanov via technical fall (10-0)

    Cruiserweight: Khidir Saipudinov vs. Aeoden Sinclair

    Result: Aeoden Sinclair def. Khidir Saipudinov via decision (9-4)

    Featherweight: Bo Bassett vs. Vladimer Khinchegashvili

    Result: Bo Bassett def. Vladimer Khinchegashvili via technical fall (13-3)

    Heavyweight Championship: Wyatt Hendrickson vs. Trent Hillger

    Result: Wyatt Hendrickson def. Trent Hillger via decision (6-2)

    Women’s Middleweight Championship: Kennedy Blades vs. Milana Dudieva

    Result: Kennedy Blades def. Milana Dudieva via technical fall (11-0)

    Light Heavyweight Championship: Kyle Snyder vs. Akhmed Tazhudinov

    Result: Kyle Snyder def. Akhmed Tazhudinov via tiebreaker (last man scoring) (3-3)

    Cruiserweight Championship: Kyle Dake vs. Parker Keckeisen

    Result: Kyle Dake def. Parker Keckeisen via decision (7-1)

    Catchweight (200 lbs): Colby Covington vs. Dillon Danis

    Result: Colby Covington def. Dillon Danis via technical fall (14-4)

    Middleweight: Arman Tsarukyan vs. Georgio Poullas

    Result: Arman Tsarukyan def. Georgio Poullas via decision (9-3)

  • Colby Covington Offers Rare Praise For Dillon Danis Before RAF 07 Wrestling Match On March 28: ‘He’s Got The Strength Of 10 Men’

    Colby Covington Offers Rare Praise For Dillon Danis Before RAF 07 Wrestling Match On March 28: ‘He’s Got The Strength Of 10 Men’

    Colby Covington is taking an uncharacteristically restrained approach ahead of his wrestling match against Dillon Danis.

    Covington is set to face Danis in a wrestling bout at RAF 07, serving as the co-main event on March 28 at the Yuengling Center inside the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida.

    The former UFC interim welterweight champion is best known for getting under his opponentsā€™ skin and stirring up fans with his often controversial trash talk, which many believe pushes the boundaries. However, ā€œChaosā€ appears to be taking a different approach heading into this contest.

    During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Covington set aside his usual bravado to give Danis his due, speaking glowingly about the controversial BJJ practitionerā€™s skill set and offering a level of respect that rarely comes from ā€œChaos.ā€

    “He’s a strong guy ā€“ he’s got the strength of 10 men,” Covington said. He fought those 10 Dagestanis last time in that Khabib brawl [at UFC 322], so that’s someone that’s not to be underestimated and to be respected. So I respect Dillon. It’s going to be a great match. He has a lot of combat sports knowledge, a former champion. It’s going to be a great match and I’m excited to get out that on those RAF mats again.

    “I think this match is going to be a battle. He’s been working really hard. He’s been trying to get into UFC and get these big matches. We saw him beat up Logan Paul in boxing so bad that Logan has to sue him. He’s fought 10 guys before, those 10 Dagestanis, so he’s got the strength of 10 men. There’s no handouts on March 28. I’m going to have to earn it the hard way.”

    Colby Covington last competed in MMA at UFC Tampa in December 2024, losing to Joaquin Buckley. He recently defeated former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold at RAF 05.

    Meanwhile, ā€œEl Jefeā€ was last in action at MF & DAZN X Series 22 in August 2025, where he secured the Misfits MMA light heavyweight title with a lightning-fast submission victory over Warren Spencer in just 15 seconds.

  • Why Dillon Danis vs Eddie Hall Must Happen According to UFC Veteran

    Why Dillon Danis vs Eddie Hall Must Happen According to UFC Veteran

    UFC veteran Chael Sonnen has explained why he wants to see a bizarre crossover fight take place between Dillon Danis and Eddie Hall.

    For the longest time now, Dillon Danis has been among the top 10 most hated fighters in mixed martial arts – and potentially combat sports as a whole. After an initially promising start to his MMA career, Danis seemed to fall back on his friendship with Conor McGregor. In addition to that, he opted to troll just about everyone he could on social media, which really became his ‘signature’ move.

    Nowadays, though, it seems as if Dillon Danis is working his way into a position of prominence in the influencer fighting scene. There have even been suggestions that he wants to square off with Eddie Hall who, for those who don’t know, is a former World’s Strongest Man. While that may seem like an absolutely insane idea, it’d likely be in a setting that would allow Dillon to utilize his jiu-jitsu skills.

    Either way, in the current landscape, Dillon Danis vs Eddie Hall is a fight that can actually happen – whether you love it or hate it. Chael Sonnen, who has had his fair share to say on the influencer scene, recently had the following thoughts on Danis vs Hall.

    Chael Sonnen wants to see Dillon Danis vs Eddie Hall

    “Big guy, game vs smaller guy with skills. Story told many times. Fascinating. Promoter would book it, audience there. Eddie Hall will do it, Dillon will too.”

    What a world we live in.

  • Colby Covington Slams ‘Crying’ Dillon Danis Over Pursuit Of UFC Career

    Colby Covington Slams ‘Crying’ Dillon Danis Over Pursuit Of UFC Career

    Colby Covington is dismissing Dillon Danisā€™ aspirations of joining the UFC.

    Last Saturday, Danis ended a six-year hiatus from MMA in spectacular fashion, needing just 15 seconds to submit Frank Warren with a guillotine choke at Misfits Boxing 22 and claim the inaugural MF MMA light heavyweight title.

    Following his victory, ā€œEl Jefeā€ wasted no time calling for more high-profile clashes, eyeing names like former UFC star Nate Diaz, strongman Eddie Hall, and longtime rival KSI, while further voicing his long-held desire to one day step into the UFC Octagon.

    However, Covington, doubts the polarizing fighter will ever earn a spot under the UFCā€™s bright lights.

    Dillon Danis eyes UFC spot
    Image: @dillondanis/Instagram

    Colby Covington Laughs Off Dillon Danis UFC Dream

    In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Colby Covington weighed in on Dillon Danisā€™ 15-second submission of Frank Warren at Misfits Boxing 22.

    The former UFC interim welterweight champion mocked Danis by bringing up his infamous 2021 incident in New Jersey, where he was allegedly choked out by a nightclub bouncer, and scoffed at the idea that the BJJ specialist has what it takes to compete in the UFC.

    “Even untrained bouncers can take down Dillon and have their way with him,” Covington said. “He’s a bum, he’s always crying to get in the UFC. You f**king suck Dillon. You’re never getting in the UFC. So go get a real job, chum.”

    This isnā€™t the first time ā€œChaosā€ has thrown shade at Danis, openly ridiculing his UFC ambitions. The two have a long history of exchanging barbed remarks online, trading blows over each otherā€™s MMA careers on social media.

    ā€œEl Jefeā€ was at one point on the UFCā€™s radar but had little desire to pursue a contract through the Contender Series. Instead, Danis repeatedly lobbied UFC CEO Dana White and COO Hunter Campbell, pressing for a big break based on his past performances.

    Danis previously competed under the Bellator banner, scoring consecutive first-round submission victories over Kyle Walker and Max Humphrey between 2018 and 2019. He now boasts an undefeated professional record of 3-0.

    Dillon Danis UFC dream
    Image: @dillondanis/Instagram
  • Dillon Danis’ future: MMA analyst doubts his ability to compete in UFC

    Dillon Danis’ future: MMA analyst doubts his ability to compete in UFC

    MMA analyst Din Thomas has serious doubts over Dillon Danis‘ ability to compete in the UFC.

    Last weekend, Dillon Danis returned to competitive mixed martial arts with a win over Warren Spencer at Misfits Boxing 22. Of course, many felt as if Spencer was pretty overmatched, with the majority rolling their eyes at the choice of opponent for Dillon.

    Now, though, as we look ahead to the future, it certainly seems as if Dillon Danis has some big plans for himself. He’s already been talking about what could be on the horizon and one idea is him signing for the UFC, although it doesn’t particularly feel like the kind of move that Dana White would be open to making.

    In a recent interview, Din Thomas weighed in on what’s next for Dillon Danis and why he isn’t confident about a potential UFC stint.

    Din Thomasā€™ view on Dillon Danis

    “He’s very good at jiu-jitsu. At MMA, no one knows how good he is,” Thomas told MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn on “The Bohnfire” podcast. “ā€¦ I’m not sure we’ll ever get to see him at a high level. I don’t think he has the level of professionalism to fight at a high UFC level ā€“ to show up to the UFC on fight week and fight a really good guy. I don’t think he has the level of professionalism to do that.”

    “To fight a low-level guy on a Misfits card that everybody’s just kind of tuning in and he can make some money this way? It’s easy to do that. It’s easy to do that,” Thomas said. “But to show up to the UFC ā€“ I know that might be his goal, ultimately ā€“ it takes a completely different level of professionalism, and I don’t know that he has that.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • “The Stupidest Move Ever Made In Combat Sports” – Fans Rip On Dillon Danis vs. Warren Spencer As Danis Submits Spencer In 15 Seconds At Misfits Boxing 22

    “The Stupidest Move Ever Made In Combat Sports” – Fans Rip On Dillon Danis vs. Warren Spencer As Danis Submits Spencer In 15 Seconds At Misfits Boxing 22

    Dillon Danis first MMA fight in six years was barely a fight, as he easily stopped Warren Spencer in mere seconds in Misfits Boxing’s first MMA fight to become Misifts MMA light heavyweight champion.

    Spencer, who entered the ring forgetting to take off his footwear, looked to score a takedown on Danis. Danis easily stopped it and got right into full mount. Spencer then tapped out to a choke, ending the fight as quickly as it started.

    Danis then called out Islam Makhachev after the fight.

    Dillon Danis Submits Warren Spencer In Seconds At Misfits Boxing 22

    https://twitter.com/PCStricklandMMA/status/1961906581768950153

    Danis, a former Pan Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi world champion, fought in MMA just twice — both in Bellator. He submitted Kyle Walker at Bellator 198 and Max Humphrey at Bellator 222.

    This was Spencer’s first MMA fight. Prior to this, he had a 1-2 exhibition MMA boxing record and won his professional boxing debut against Muganzi Hakim in April.

  • KSI and Logan Paul Called Out For Avoiding Real Fights “Boxing is not a real fight”

    KSI and Logan Paul Called Out For Avoiding Real Fights “Boxing is not a real fight”

    KSI and Logan Paul are big figures on the influencer boxing circuit but someone who has history with both men does not highly tout the sweet science overall. That combatant in question is Dillon Danis who prepares for the first ever MMA fight in the history of Misfits Boxing. Danis will take on Warren Spencer for the inaugural MF MMA light heavyweight championship at Misfits Boxing 22 on August 30th from Manchester, England.

    This will transpire this Saturday on this ‘Ring of Thrones’ card that features Luke Rockhold vs. Darren Till for the MFB bridgerweight title and Tony Ferguson vs. Salt Papi for the MFB interim middleweight belt.

    Speaking to Ringside with Abbas, Danis covered several subjects ahead of his return to mixed martial arts after several years away where he pursued gloved boxing in the mean time. Herein lies his ties to Paul and KSI, with Danis fighting the former to an inauspicious disqualification in a bad blood fuelled pre-fight build. For KSI, Danis has been booked to box him on a pair of occasions with Danis withdrawing the first time and KSI pulling out from the sophomore bout booking.

    KSI and Dillon Danis’ attempt to make a deal with him

    Putting Logan Paul and KSI in his proverbial crosshairs before he returns to competing in the four ounce gloves this weekend on DAZN pay-per-view, Danis said,

    ā€œKSIā€¦ I made him a deal. He said if I knock him out, so it should be; KSI is the type of guy that if he picks upā€¦ Here we go again.ā€

    ā€œSo if I knock him out, he has to fight me in MMA. Well, you don’t get any extra money if you don’t. I went to boxing. And I fought Logan. How come Logan can’t fight MMA? How come you always got to go to their field? It’s not a real fight. Boxing is not a real fight. He thinks it’s a real fight. All this [expletive] is fake. ‘Cause in a real fight; yeah, sweet science of getting taken down and choked out. Ain’t no sweet silence in that.ā€

  • Dillon Danis Set To Make MMA Return After Six Years Under Misfits Banner On August 30

    Dillon Danis Set To Make MMA Return After Six Years Under Misfits Banner On August 30

    Dillon Danis will be stepping back into the MMA cage for the first time in six years.

    On Sunday, Misfits Boxing announced its first-ever professional MMA bout, featuring the polarizing Danis taking on influencer-turned-fighter Warren Spencer. The two will clash for the inaugural MF MMA light heavyweight title at Misfits Boxing 22: ā€˜Ring of Thrones’, set to take place on August 30 at the AO Arena in Manchester, England.

    The Misfits Boxing 22 card is set to be headlined by a MFB bridgerweight title clash between former UFC stars Darren Till and Luke Rockhold. Meanwhile, the co-main event will feature Tony Ferguson making his influencer boxing debut against Salt Papi (real name Nathaniel Bustamante) in a showdown for the interim MFB middleweight championship.

    Image: @MisfitsBoxing/X

    What Is Dillon Danis’ Pro MMA Record?

    Dillon Danis has just two professional MMA bouts to his name, both of which took place under the Bellator banner. “El Jefe” made his debut at Bellator 198 in April 2018, securing a first-round submission win over Kyle Walker. He followed it up with another dominant performance at Bellator 222 in June 2019, submitting Max Humphrey in the opening round once again.

    Danis was last seen in combat sports action in October 2023, when he took on Logan Paul in a boxing match at MF & DAZN: X Series 10. The 31-year-old New Jersey native was disqualified in the sixth round after attempting to lock ā€œThe Maverickā€ in a chokehold.

    “El Jefe” was initially scheduled to headline Misfits Boxing 21 on March 29 against KSI. However, the highly anticipated bout was cancelled after the celebrity boxer withdrew due to illness. Shortly after, Dillon Danis signed with the Global Fight League for a lightweight showdown against Tony Ferguson. Unfortunately, the promotion folded before ever staging its debut event.

    Image: @dillondanis/Instagram

    Meanwhile, Warren Spencer is gearing up to make his MMA debut, though he enters the cage with a solid foundation in boxing. ā€œThe Mechanic” holds a 3-2 record in the ring, having shared it with names like Ben Williams and Aaron Chalmers. He last competed this past April, earning a first-round TKO victory over Muganzi Hakim.

  • Dillon Danis Vows To Retire Tony Ferguson In GFL Fight

    Dillon Danis Vows To Retire Tony Ferguson In GFL Fight

    Dillon Danis has declared his intention to conclude Tony Ferguson’s professional MMA career.

    Danis, boasting an undefeated record of two wins and zero losses, representing GFL’s Team New York, is scheduled to face Ferguson, who has a record of 25 wins and 11 losses, representing Team Los Angeles. The two fighters will clash in a lightweight main event on May 25 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

    Ferguson enters this contest on a difficult streak. He has lost his last eight consecutive matches in the UFC, a record within the organization. His most recent defeat occurred in August of last year, when Michael Chiesa submitted him. This string of losses has led Danis to confidently state that he will “put the nail in the coffin of Tony Fergusonā€™s MMA career.”

    Danis, initially scheduled to box KSI in a highly anticipated 185-pound match, saw the bout canceled due to KSI’s unexpected illness. This cancellation extended Danis’s period of inactivity, as he had not competed since his disqualification loss to Logan Paul in a boxing match back in October of 2023. 

    His previous MMA contest occurred in June 2019, when he achieved a submission victory over Max Humphrey at Bellator 222. Despite this, the polarizing grappler is confident of his superiority over Ferguson.

    ā€œIā€™m going to retire Tony Ferguson and bury ā€˜El Cucuyā€™ in the same grave as his win streak,ā€ Danis told MMA Junkie in a text message Tuesday.

  • GFL Announces Debut Fight Cards Featuring Ferguson, Danis, Holm, Gustafsson, And More

    GFL Announces Debut Fight Cards Featuring Ferguson, Danis, Holm, Gustafsson, And More

    The Global Fight League (GFL) is set to launch with not one, but two inaugural events.

    On Monday, the GFL unveiled plans for its first two events, featuring seasoned veterans, both set to take place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. The action kicks off on May 24, with a second night of fights following on May 25 at the same venue, with broadcast details and ticket sales information set to be revealed in April.

    The newly launched MMA promotion, which has signed over 300 fighters, including several former champions from top organizations, has introduced a team-based format. The league will feature six city-based teams from around the world, competing in a structured season that culminates in playoffs to crown the ultimate champions.

    In the GFLā€™s unique team system, fighters earn points for their performances in every fight. A win by finish awards 4 points, a decision victory brings 3 points, a draw earns 2, and a decision loss gives 1 point. However, if a fighter is stopped, their team receives no points for that matchup.

    Fighters from all six GFL teams ā€” Los Angeles, New York, London, Dubai, SĆ£o Paulo, and Miami ā€” will clash in a total of 31 bouts across two action-packed nights. Additionally, the May 24 event will feature a few highly anticipated trilogy fights.

    Here’s a look at the current lineups:

    GFL Day 1 – Saturday, May 24, Los Angeles

    • Urijah Faber (LA) vs. Renan Barao (SP): bantamweight
    • Anthony Pettis (MIA) vs. Benson Henderson (LON): lightweight
    • Holly Holm (NY) vs. Julia Budd (LON): women’s bantamweight
    • Chad Mendes (LA) vs. Maike Linhares (SP): featherweight
    • Derek Brunson (DUB) vs. Omari Akhmedov (DUB): middleweight
    • Sage Northcutt (LA) vs. Lucas Martins (SP): lightweight
    • Marlon Moraes (MIA) vs. Ray Borg (LA): bantamweight
    • Aspen Ladd (LA) vs. Alejandra Lara (SP): women’s bantamweight
    • Robelis Despaigne (MIA) vs. Todd Duffee (DUB): heavyweight
    • Cat Zingano (MIA) vs. Alexa Conners (DUB): women’s bantamweight
    • Neiman Gracie (NY) vs. Danny Roberts (LON): welterweight
    • Jessica Penne (LA) vs. Joice Mara (SP): atomweight
    • Charles Rosa (MIA) vs. Khumoyun Tukhtamuradov (DUB): featherweight
    • Marisa Messer-Belenchia (NY) vs. Kelly Staddon (LON): atomweight
    • Gleison Tibau (MIA) vs. Alex Oliveira (SP): welterweight

    GFL Day 2 – Sunday, May 25, Los Angeles

    • Tony Ferguson (LA) vs. Dillon Danis (NY): lightweight
    • Ovince Saint Preux (NY) vs. Alexander Gustafsson (LON): light heavyweight
    • Uriah Hall (LA) vs. Douglas Lima (SP): middleweight
    • Paige VanZant (MIA) vs. Randi Field (DUB): strawweight
    • Louis Glisman (LA) vs. Abubakar Nurmagomedov (DUB): lightweight
    • Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (LA) vs. Viviane Pereira (SP): strawweight
    • Alan Belcher (NY) vs. Stuart Austin (LON): heavyweight
    • Thiago Santos (MIA) vs. Devin Clark (NY): light heavyweight
    • Lorenz Larkin (LA) vs. Carlos Petruzzella (SP): welterweight
    • Jimmie Rivera (NY) vs. Cameron Else (LON): bantamweight
    • Natasha Kuziutina (MIA) vs. Jessica Aguilar (DUB): strawweight
    • Phil Hawes (NY) vs. Grant Neal (LA): middleweight
    • Kai Kamaka III (NY) vs. Mike Grundy (LON): featherweight
    • Da Woon Jung (LA) vs. Ronny Markes (DUB): light heavyweight
    • Miao Ding (NY) vs. Josefine Knutsson (LON): strawweight

  • Darren Till Believes Dillon Danis ‘Said No’ To Fighting Him After KSI Withdrawal

    Darren Till is claiming that Dillon Danis refused to fight him following the fallout of his bout with KSI.

    Till was scheduled to take on Darren Stewart in the co-main event of Misfits Boxing 21 on March 29 at the AO Arena in Manchester, England. The fight card was set to be headlined by a grudge match between KSI and Danis.

    However, last week, the YouTuber-turned-boxer revealed that a three-week struggle with illness had led to the entire event being postponed.

    Disheartened by the event’s postponement, “The Gorilla” voiced his frustration on social media, emphasizing that he was fully prepared for his fight. He even had a chance to salvage the card, but unfortunately, it didnā€™t come to fruition.

    During a recent interview with iFL TV, Till revealed that he was offered a chance to face Danis in a reworked main event. However, according to the UFC welterweight title challenger, “El Jefe” ultimately declined the fight.

    “Yeah, that was brought up, and I don’t know whether they said something like, they couldn’t do it for some political reasons, or I don’t know if he said no,” Darren Tll said. “I’m pretty certain that he [Danis] said no. I can’t imagine Dillon wanting to fight me in boxing. I tried to fight him, but obviously, that didn’t materialize. So I don’t know why. On my side, obviously, I said yeah, but who knows on their side.

    Darren Till returned to competition after a prolonged absence following his UFC departure, making his boxing debut under the Social Knockouts banner in June 2024. In an unexpected outcome, he claimed a TKO victory over Mohammad Mutie.

    “The Gorilla” later returned to the ring under the Misfits Boxing banner in January, competing in a professional bout where he secured a sixth-round knockout against Anthony Taylor.

    Meanwhile, as Danis awaits the rescheduling of his bout against KSI, he remains booked to compete under the newly launched Global Fight League (GFL). He is set to face former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson in a bout provisionally set for May.

  • Joe Rogan: It’s ‘Crazy’ KSI Pulled Out Of Fight Against Inexperienced Dillon Danis

    Joe Rogan: It’s ‘Crazy’ KSI Pulled Out Of Fight Against Inexperienced Dillon Danis

    Joe Rogan has reacted after the boxing match between YouTube sensation KSI and Dillon Danis, scheduled for March 29, was abruptly postponed by KSI due to illness.

    This decision impacted the entire event, including a stacked undercard, causing frustration among fighters and fans alike. The matchup pitted KSI, who has boxing experience since 2018, against Danis, a jiu-jitsu black belt with limited boxing exposure.  

    During a JRE Fight Companion broadcast for UFC London, Joe Rogan expressed his bewilderment at KSI’s decision to postpone the fight.

    Rogan, along with Brendan Schaub and Gordon Ryan, Danis’ longtime rival, found it perplexing that KSI, considered the superior boxer, would withdraw due to illness. They felt KSI should have been able to compete, even at a reduced capacity.

    ā€œHow does KSI pull out against Dillon Danis? Dillonā€™s not a boxer. KSI is a pretty good boxer, heā€™s legit,” Rogan said. “Itā€™s crazy that he would (pull out). Youā€™d think he could not even be at his best and take that fight.ā€

    Danis responded to the postponement by stating that KSI “pulled out,” not merely postponed the event, highlighting the significant financial and logistical implications of the cancellation. He drew a sharp contrast between postponing a multi-million-dollar fight card and a “little league baseball game.”

    In a further attempt to salvage the event, Danis publicly called upon Logan Paul, KSI’s previous opponent, to step in for a rematch. He expressed sympathy for the other fighters on the card and the fans who had purchased tickets, criticizing KSI’s decision as being based on “the sniffles.” 

  • Dillon Danis Thinks He Knows What Caused KSI Illness That’s Postponed Their Fight

    Dillon Danis Thinks He Knows What Caused KSI Illness That’s Postponed Their Fight

    Dillon Danis is speculating on the cause of KSIā€™s illness that led to the fightā€™s postponement.

    Danis and KSI were set to settle their rivalry in a 185-pound grudge match, headlining Misfits Boxing 21 on March 29 at Manchesterā€™s AO Arena. However, on Friday, the influencer boxing promotion announced that “The Nightmare” had fallen ill, forcing the entire event to be postponed. A new date is expected to be revealed next week.

    KSI took to social media to reveal that he has been battling an illness for the past three weeks but remains determined to reschedule the fight.

    “I tried my hardest, but my body has legit just given up,ā€ KSI said. ā€œIā€™m currently in bed, taking antibiotics, trying to recover, but Iā€™m struggling. Iā€™m coughing up greenish, yellowish sh*t all the time… I tried sparring and training, but my body feels weak. My stamina is just falling off a cliff… I want to move the fight to another day because I still want to knock out Dillon Danis.”

    However, the YouTuber-turned-occasional-boxerā€™s reasoning failed to convince “El Jefe,” who flooded X with scathing posts ridiculing his would-be opponent for withdrawing. The exchange quickly escalated into a fiery war of words between the two.

    In one of his many posts, Dillon Danis shared a screenshot listing symptoms of anabolic steroid withdrawal, several of which aligned with those KSI mentioned in his video. He implied that the 31-year-old Londonerā€™s illness could be a result of it.

    The two were initially scheduled to clash in January 2023, but just a week before the showdown, the ever-controversial MMA fighter withdrew without providing a clear reason. Both last stepped into the ring at MF & DAZN: X Series 10 ā€“ PRIME Card in October 2023, where Danis fell to Logan Paul, while KSI suffered a loss to Tommy Fury.

  • KSI vs. Dillon Danis Off Again As Illness Scraps Misfits Event 8 Days Out

    KSI vs. Dillon Danis Off Again As Illness Scraps Misfits Event 8 Days Out

    The KSI vs. Dillon Danis matchup has once again failed to make it to the ring.

    Next weekend was set to see the pair’s longtime rivalry finally settled in the main event of Misfits Boxing 21 in Manchester, England. It was to come just over two years on from their first attempt at sharing the squared circle, which collapsed when Danis withdrew citing unpreparedness.

    The bout has once again been postponed, but this time due to an issue on the side of the YouTuber-turned-boxer.

    It emerged on Friday, eight days out from the planned event inside the AO Arena, that an illness to KSI has rendered him unable to compete. The Englishman confirmed the news himself in a video posted to the Misfits Boxing X account.

    With the high-profile main event off, the entire event has also been delayed.

    That means a canceled return for ex-UFC title challenger Darren Till, who was slated to co-headline the March 29 card opposite another former Octagon veteran in Darren Stewart.

    KSI hasn’t boxed since a decision defeat to Tommy Fury in October 2023. Dillon Danis, meanwhile, fell short to Logan Paul on the same night.

    Rebooking the seemingly cursed matchup between the bitter foes could prove tricky, with the American former Bellator fighter expected to make his MMA return to face Tony Ferguson under the Global Fight League banner in either May or June.

  • KSI Warns Tony Ferguson: Danis Fight Will Be ‘Dead’ After Damage From Boxing Match

    KSI Warns Tony Ferguson: Danis Fight Will Be ‘Dead’ After Damage From Boxing Match

    KSI warns that by the time heā€™s done with Dillon Danis, there wonā€™t be much left of him for Tony Ferguson to fight.

    For context, KSI is set to square off against Danis in a 185-pound grudge match in the main event of Misfits Boxing 21 on March 29 at the AO Arena in Manchester, England.

    However, following his sophomore appearance in the boxing ring, “El Jefe” is booked to compete against former UFC interim lightweight champion Ferguson under the banner of the newly launched MMA promotion, Global Fight League (GFL), with the bout tentatively scheduled for May 11.

    On Tuesday, the YouTuber-turned-influencer boxer, who has a long-standing feud with Danis, took to X to issue a chilling message just two weeks ahead of their showdown. His words werenā€™t just aimed at Danis as they also carried a veiled shot at Ferguson, with “The Nightmare” vowing to punish Danis so brutally that his anticipated MMA return would become an afterthought.

    “I don’t think people understand what I’m about to do to Danis. His fight with Ferguson will be dead. His UFC dreams will be dead. His career in combat sports will finally be dead,” KSI wrote on X.

    KSI and Danis were originally set to face off in January 2023, but “El Jefe” pulled out just a week before fight night without offering a clear explanation. His last-minute withdrawal only added fuel to their already heated rivalry, as they have traded barbs on social media on several occasions.

    “The Nightmare” was last seen in action in October 2023, headlining the MF & DAZN: X Series 10 ā€“ PRIME Card against Tommy Fury, where he suffered a controversial unanimous decision loss.

    Meanwhile, Danis made his boxing debut on the same card, taking on KSIā€™s former adversary and now collaborator, Logan Paul. But the bout took a wild turn when the outspoken MMA fighter attempted to lock “The Maverick” in a chokehold, resulting in his disqualification in the sixth round.

  • Dillon Danis Claims Logan Paul Is Blocking Him From UFC And WWE

    Dillon Danis Claims Logan Paul Is Blocking Him From UFC And WWE

    Dillon Danis alleges that Logan Paul is actively preventing him from signing with the UFC, saying the influencer-turned-wrestler has been working behind the scenes to blackball him from major opportunities. In a recent interview on The Ariel Helwani Show, Danis claimed that Paul has used his connections to keep him out of both the UFC and WWE.

    “He wonā€™t let me go to WWE events. WWE wanted to do stuff with me, and then heā€™s like, ā€˜No, donā€™t let him in.ā€™ He hates me so much that heā€™s trying to get me out of everything,” Danis said. “Heā€™s in the background of the UFC, Iā€™m pretty sure heā€™s the one talking to them, saying not to sign me.”

    Danis believes Paulā€™s influence is tied to his lucrative partnership with Prime Hydration, which has become a major UFC sponsor.

    “Prime is a big say. If you sign that kid, Iā€™m pulling Prime,” he speculated.

    The bad blood between Danis and Paul escalated during their 2023 boxing match, which led to Paul suing Danis for defamation. The fallout from the fight sent Danis into a personal tailspin.

    “I had a lot of demons, and I still do,” he admitted. “I got really bad after that fightā€”really bad. Just let myself down.”

    Danis, who says heā€™s been sober for nearly eight months, is now attempting to rebuild his fighting career. He is set to face KSI in a boxing match on March 29, followed by a planned MMA bout against Tony Ferguson later this year.

  • Watch KSI Slap Dillon Danis During Misfits & DAZN X Series 21 Press Conference

    Watch KSI Slap Dillon Danis During Misfits & DAZN X Series 21 Press Conference

    The launch press conference for Misfits & DAZN X Series 21 takes place today, as headliners KSI and Dillon Danis went face to face.

    British YouTube star, rapper, and celebrity boxer KSI and combat sports figure Danis are set for a second attempt at having their feud reach the ring.

    After the American pulled out from their scheduled January 2023 showdown, the former Bellator MMA fighter has now stepped in to replace Wayne Bridge in the main event later this month. The contest will mark his first since a defeat to Logan Paul and comes months out from his MMA return to face Tony Ferguson in the GFL.

    Misfits & DAZN X Series 21 is set for March 29 at the AO Arena in Manchester, England. Below KSI vs. Danis, ex-UFC title challenger Darren Till is set to co-headline against a fellow Octagon veteran in Darren Stewart.

    Out of those four, all but Till appeared at Tuesday’s launch press conference in London. See below for a replay via the official DAZN YouTube channel, followed by the highlights, including one brutal slap.

    Misfits Boxing: KSI vs. Danis Press Conference Video

    Misfits Boxing: KSI vs. Danis Press Conference Highlights

  • Tony Ferguson’s First Post-UFC Fight Set As GFL Announces ‘Legendary’ Dillon Danis Clash

    Tony Ferguson’s First Post-UFC Fight Set As GFL Announces ‘Legendary’ Dillon Danis Clash

    Tony Ferguson is preparing to compete for the first time in 14 years under a banner other than the UFC.

    Last month, Ferguson inked a deal with the newly launched MMA promotion, Global Fight League (GFL), after parting ways with the UFC. His departure came on the heels of a historic eight-fight losing streak that spanned over four years.

    On Friday, the GFL, which will feature a unique team-based format, announced that “El Cucuy” will represent Team Los Angeles, led by UFC Hall of Famer Wanderlei Silva, in an upcoming lightweight showdown against the polarizing Dillon Danis of Team New York.

    However, key details such as the fight date, venue, and other specifics have yet to be revealed.

    Ferguson last stepped into the Octagon at UFC Abu Dhabi last August, where he suffered a first-round submission loss to welterweight veteran Michael Chiesa.

    The 41-year-old Californian once rode the wave of a dominant 12-fight win streak and held the UFC interim 155-pound title. However, his trajectory took a sharp downturn after a grueling war with Justin Gaethje at UFC 249 in May 2020.

    Meanwhile, “El Jefe” has made more headlines for controversies than actual fights inside the cage. Despite being signed with Bellator, Danis only competed twice under the promotionā€™s banner, securing first-round submission victories in both outings. His last MMA appearance dates back to June 2019 at Bellator 222, where he made quick work of Max Humphrey.

    Danis last stepped into combat sports action in a boxing match against YouTuber-turned-WWE star Logan Paul at MF & DAZN: X Series 10 ā€“ PRIME Card in October 2023. The fight took a wild turn when the 31-year-old New Jersey native attempted to lock “The Maverick” in a chokehold, resulting in his disqualification in the sixth round.

    “El Jefe” is lined up to face KSI in a 185-pound showdown, headlining Misfits Boxing 21 on March 29 at the AO Arena in Manchester, England. The matchup was previously canceled in January 2023 after Danis withdrew just a week before fight night without providing a specific reason.

  • KSI vs. Dillon Danis Official For Misfits Boxing 21 On March 29

    KSI vs. Dillon Danis Official For Misfits Boxing 21 On March 29

    KSI and Dillon Danis are finally set to settle their long-standing feud inside the squared circle.

    The two rivals are set to collide in a 185-pound showdown, headlining Misfits Boxing 21. The event, billed as “Unfinished Business,” is scheduled for March 29 at the AO Arena in Manchester, England.

    KSI and Danis were originally scheduled to clash at Misfits Boxing 4 in January 2023, but “El Jefe” pulled out just a week before fight night. At the time, KSI and his team claimed that Danis withdrew due to a lack of proper preparation.

    “The Nightmare” was originally set to square off against former English footballer Wayne Bridge on March 29, but the fight was scrapped after the ex-Chelsea defender pulled out.

    KSI is coming off the first setback of his boxing careerā€”a unanimous decision loss to Tommy Fury in the main event of the MF & DAZN: X Series 10 – PRIME Card in October 2023.

    Danis made his boxing debut on the same card, facing KSI’s former rival-turned-business partner, Logan Paul. However, the bout ended in chaos, as the former Bellator fighter was disqualified in the sixth round after attempting to put Paul in a chokehold.

  • GFL Founder: We Can Make Fights ‘People Want To See’, Like Tony Ferguson vs. Dillon Danis

    GFL Founder: We Can Make Fights ‘People Want To See’, Like Tony Ferguson vs. Dillon Danis

    The GFL is confident that they can deliver bouts that the fans are going to want to tune in for. With the promotion set to host their first event in April, the first few weeks/months for the promotion have not been plain sailing in terms of the general reception to what they’re trying to do.

    Whilst the Global Fight League is confident that their team-based format will bring a new and exciting element to MMA which will draw upon the appeal of other mainstream sports, the response from a lot of fans has been sceptical to say the least. This certainly hasn’t been helped by the names that were announced for the draft with many of the top names being fighters that are well past their peaks.

    The teams are now drawn up following the draft that took place last Friday, although there is still some concerns that have been raised as to which fighters actually agreed to fighting for the GFL before being drafted. The GFL may have a distinct format but founder Darren Owen has made it clear that this won’t stop them from putting on the fights that make the most sense.

    This is something that Owen spoke about during his recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show where he spoke about the results and reaction from the draft. Owen named several fights that we could potentially see in the promotion in the near future now that we actually know, on paper at least, who will be competing for the promotion in 2025.

    One of those fights that he mentioned was a bout between a UFC legend who holds the record for the most consecutive losses in the promotion having not won a fight in his last eight outings against another big name who also hasn’t won a fight since 2019, having previously been disqualified in a boxing match with Logan Paul.

    “We can make the fights that people want to see, and we’re listening to everybody. Tony Ferguson vs. Dillon Danis, that may be something that will come to fruition.”

    The two other matchups that Owen named were rematches between established names with Renan Barao vs. Urijah Faber 3 and Luke Rockhold vs. Chris Weidman 2 being on the table. For reference, the last encounters between these men took place 10 and 11 years ago.