MMA star Dillon Danis is setting his sights on a boxing match against Jake Paul following the withdrawals of KSI and Logan Paul from potential bouts.
Originally slated to face KSI on March 29 in Manchester, Danis found himself without an opponent after KSI pulled out due to illness. The lead-up to the fight was marked by drama, including a pancake incident where KSI slapped Danis during a tense press conference, necessitating security intervention to prevent a physical altercation.
Although known for his expertise in jiu-jitsu, Danis has only competed once in boxing, facing Logan Paul in 2023. Their match ended controversially with Danis disqualified in the final round for attempting to choke out his opponent, leading to chaotic scenes in Manchester.
The possibility of a rescheduled bout between KSI and Danis is uncertain, as Danis is focused on an upcoming cage fight against UFC veteran Tony Ferguson. However, Danis has made it clear that his interest in boxing is far from over, publicly challenging Jake Paul to a fight. In a social media post, Danis boldly claimed to have ended the boxing careers of both KSI and Logan Paul, leaving Jake Paul as the final target.
In response, KSI expressed emotional turmoil over his boxing future, citing a series of setbacks and uncertainties, including health issues and external pressures. Speculation about KSI’s future in the sport arose during a live commentary session, where he questioned the necessity of further fights beyond a potential showdown with Jake Paul.
Danis’ unexpected callout of Jake Paul comes at a time when Paul has been inactive since defeating Mike Tyson last year. While talks of a potential fight with Canelo Alvarez fizzled out due to Alvarez’s contract with Riyadh Season, Danis sees an opportunity to challenge Paul in the boxing ring.