Mixed martial arts competitor and BJJ champion Dillon Danis has revealed that his highly anticipated MMA return was originally supposed to feature a blockbuster matchup against former UFC welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal. However, like many of Danis’s potential matches, this bout fell through and led to a different opponent for his comeback.
During a recent interview on The W.A.D.E. Concept, Danis opened up about the frustrating journey to secure his MMA return match. “The first one was supposed to be Masvidal,” Danis explained, detailing how the fight negotiations progressed. “I was like 100% in and his manager was 100% in and then we were waiting weeks and weeks and he was like he needs to get one win before he fights me.”
The controversial fighter has faced multiple setbacks in securing high-profile matchups. His most recent boxing appearance against Logan Paul ended in disappointment, with Danis admitting the loss has haunted him since that night. “Since that day I’ve been like suicidal,” he confessed. “I know I could beat him, you know, and I know I could do better than that.”
After the Masvidal bout collapsed, Danis found himself in a lengthy process of trying to secure opponents for Misfits Boxing’s first MMA event. The fighter revealed that several other potential matchups also fell through, including discussions with Nate Diaz and Tony Ferguson. “Nate was down with it, and then Nate wanted me to fight his boy Aila, who I was going to fight, and then Aila didn’t want to fight, wanted to box,” Danis explained.
The constant disappointments and cancellations took a toll on Danis, who described going through a dark period following multiple knee surgeries that sidelined him for years. “I went through like a little dark phase on my crutches just drinking and doing stupid stuff,” he admitted, referencing a difficult time in his life when his combat identity was stripped away due to injury.
Ultimately, Danis will make his MMA return against Warren Spencer at Misfits MMA on August 30th. While Spencer may not carry the same name recognition as Masvidal, Danis appears confident about the matchup. “He’s going to get m*rdered,” Danis stated bluntly. “I actually feel bad for the guy.”
The five-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion emphasized that despite the boxing setbacks, MMA remains his preferred combat sport. “I hate boxing,” he said. “I worked 20 years to get all these tools and then I’m not using them.” With his grappling credentials and striking improvements, Danis believes an MMA return will showcase his true abilities.
After years of controversy, injuries, and disappointing performances outside his specialty, the upcoming match against Spencer offers Danis a chance to remind the combat sports world why he was once considered one of the most promising prospects in mixed martial arts.
