Bellator President Scott Coker commented on recent affairs surrounding promotion star Dillon Danis during Bellator 288’s post-event press conference.
Despite being a familiar personality in the world of MMA, Danis hasn’t competed in the sport since June, 2019. The American has a professional record of 2-0, with his last win coming against Max Humphrey via first-round submission (armbar).
Since then, Danis’ unbeaten record has remained intact, yet not in positive fashion. The 29-year-old suffered a serious knee injury prior to the Humphrey bout, and the subsequent surgery kept him out for a significant period of time.
Last Sunday it was announced that Danis would be taking on YouTube personality KSI in a boxing match at the MF & DAZN X Series event in London, January 14th.
🔥 This about to be 𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐄! @KSI will take on @dillondanis at the OVO Arena, Wembley, on January 14th, live on DAZN PPV 🧨#KSIDanis | January 14th | @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/ueHxUCKxuf
— Misfits Boxing (@MisfitsBoxing) November 20, 2022
‘El Jefe‘ has often been in the limelight for brawls outside the octagon, most notably with celebrity brothers Jake and Logan Paul. Danis was also detained by a bouncer in New Jersey late last year, adding to the ever-growing list of embarassing encounters he seems to get himself into.
His notoriety grew early on due to his links with SBG Ireland teammate Conor McGregor, a friendship made even more obvious following his cageside fight with the Irishman’s rival, Khabib Nurmagomedov, after UFC 229.
Danis is still registered to the Bellator roster, and Coker expressed his disappointment with the American’s next choice of fight.
“The thing that is a little frustrating is when you think about Dillon Danis, the guy has a great ground game, he’s one of the best jiu-jitsu guys on the planet,” said Coker at the post-Bellator 288 press conference. “So, we signed him, we wanted to develop him, we wanted him to come into our system and start fighting. Fighting tougher guys.
“But, I think he got sidetracked a little bit and other things got in the way. To me, he had a lot of potential. We can’t make him do it, he’s gotta want to do it.
“Right now he’s doing something else.”
Coker was also left frustrated and unimpressed with Danis’ public brawls with KSI and former Bellator fighter Anthony Taylor.
Anthony Taylor just rocked Dillon Danis outside the misfit weigh in 😭 pic.twitter.com/LHLslhaDGr
— Heavyweight Thanos (@MMAThanos) November 18, 2022
He continued: “All I’ve got to say to Anthony and to Dillon: You shouldn’t be out there fighting for free.
“If you want to fight for free, please give me a call. You’re a professional prize fighter. You should fight in the cage or do it in the ring. I’m not sure what the tactics there are.”
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