The MMA world has seen its fair share of heel personalities, but none has stirred the pot quite like Dillon Danis. With a reputation built more on controversy than competition, the American BJJ ace has become synonymous with chaos—often damaging his own image and dragging others down with him. At 31, ‘El Jefe’ has dipped his toes across the combat sports spectrum—from jiu-jitsu accolades to a stint in Bellator’s MMA ranks—while building a reputation as a longtime ally of UFC superstar Conor McGregor.
Despite years of hyping a potential UFC debut and staying in the spotlight for antics outside the cage, his in-ring potential remains largely unrealized. In 2023, he even announced a short-lived retirement at 29, only to make a quick return not long after. These days, Dillon Danis has become something of a running joke in the fight community—a fighter always “ready to go,” yet rarely seen competing. A glance at his record shows more canceled MMA and boxing bouts than completed ones, and unfortunately, 2025 is shaping up to be more of the same! However, ‘El Jefe’ was hoping to shift the narrative this year.
First, he lined up a long-awaited boxing bout against YouTuber-turned-boxer KSI under the Misfits Boxing promotion. Then, he was set to face former UFC interim champ Tony Ferguson in May under the newly launched Global Fight League (GFL). But once again, these plans seem to be flushed down the drain. An undisclosed illness caused KSI to withdraw, and now reports suggest that his GFL bout may also be canceled. Many saw that clash with Ferguson as Danis’ potential ticket to the UFC. Instead, it’s another missed opportunity.
In a heartfelt post on X, Dillon Danis addressed the mounting criticism: “Being real, I’m frustrated as hell. I wanted to stay as active as possible for myself and for everyone who supports me in 2025. First KSI canceled on me, then said he wouldn’t be fit to reschedule. We couldn’t lock in a replacement. I said yes to everyone. And now with the Tony Ferguson fight being moved, I get the criticism. I know what people say about me not fighting. I don’t want that to be the narrative, and I’ve been doing everything I can to change it. I just want to back up everything I’ve been saying and prove I’m the best in the world. Sorry, everyone. ”
Being real, I’m frustrated as hell. I wanted to stay as active as possible for myself and for everyone who supports me in 2025. First KSI canceled on me, then said he wouldn’t be fit to reschedule. We couldn’t lock in a replacement. I said yes to everyone. And now with the Tony…
— Dillon Danis (@dillondanis) April 10, 2025
As for the GFL MMA League, it launched with serious hype, promising a fighter-first approach and a fresh take on pay structure. But just days before its big Los Angeles debut at Shrine Auditorium—a two-day event (May 24 and May 25) slated to feature 30 fights—the promotion hit an unexpected roadblock. Founder Darren Owen revealed that a key investor failed to meet a financial commitment in April, forcing the league to postpone its inaugural showcase.
However, Owen assured fans and fighters that the delay was only temporary. “Our primary investor didn’t fulfill his April obligation, which has caused some issues,” Owen told MMA Junkie via email. “However, we have a solution in place. We are likely going to have to launch in June, but we’re 100% moving forward.”
With yet another delay added to Dillon Danis’ long list of canceled fights, the question now is—will his MMA dream ever become a reality? And more importantly, will Dana White ever give him the shot he’s been chasing? Only time—and the UFC boss—can answer that.
Dana White on Dillon Danis’ future inside the UFC
Dillon Danis was a relatively obscure name in MMA until he aligned himself with Conor McGregor, joining the Irishman’s training camp ahead of the highly anticipated UFC 202 clash with Nate Diaz in 2016. Their relationship as teammates quickly grew, but ‘El Jefe’ truly stepped into the spotlight during the chaos of UFC 229—the Irishman’s heated showdown with Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Following McGregor’s loss, Khabib infamously leaped out of the Octagon and charged at Dillon Danis, sparking one of the wildest post-fight brawls in UFC history. The incident drew police involvement and cemented the American’s reputation as a lightning rod for controversy. His brash personality eventually led to his expulsion from the prestigious Marcelo Garcia Academy—a move that sent ripples through both the BJJ and MMA worlds. ‘El Jefe’ behavior has kept him in the headlines ever since, even catching the attention of UFC head honcho Dana White.
While Dana hasn’t ruled out the possibility of signing Dillon Danis, his off-the-cage antics remain a major roadblock. Speaking on the Full Send Podcast in 2023, White made his stance clear: “I have no beef with the kid at all. I’ve probably said two words to him in my whole life. But every time he’s around, s—s going down. We can’t have that stuff going on here. A lot of people will see when guys get into it on stage or something starts to happen, they’re like ‘Oh, they must love this’ or whatever. No. No, we don’t love it.”
So, what’s your take—does Dillon Danis have a real future in MMA? Will his long-awaited UFC dream ever come true? Let us know in the comments below.
The post With Tony Ferguson Fight ‘Moved’, Dillon Danis Makes Tough Confession on ‘Narrative’ Amid GFL Drama appeared first on EssentiallySports.