Dillon Danis names Francis Ngannou, Jake Paul and several UFC stars on his hitlist ahead of boxing debut
03/10/2023 14:04
Dillon Danis has a long list of people he wants to face after his boxing debut.
The former MMA prospect, whose promising career in the sport was derailed by a knee injury four years ago, is set to box Logan Paul on the undercard of KSI vs Tommy Fury in Manchester on October 14.
Danis is primarily known for his elite-level submission skills, and already has his eyes on several opponents that could see him return to MMA after his fight with 'The Maverick'.
The 30-year-old isn't really interested in signing with the Professional Fighters League [PFL] unless they match him up with their biggest stars.
“I’m not going to the PFL, I’m going to the UFC," Danis told Ariel Helwani on Monday's episode of The MMA Hour.
"The only way I’ll go to PFL is if they give me the Jake Paul fight."
The YouTuber-turned-boxer is expected to make his PFL debut in 2024 after previously signing a lucrative deal to compete under MMA rules for the company.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou followed him in inking a contract with PFL and is also expected to fight for them next year.
Despite spending his entire career competing at 175lbs, Danis fancies his chances against Tyson Fury's next opponent who weighs almost 300lbs when he's not in camp.
He added: "You know I would beat Francis. I'll pull guard so easy. Dude, he's terrible."
Conor McGregor's long-time training partner went on to reveal his ultimate goal is to make a splash in the UFC as he named several potential opponents.
“I don’t want to go to PFL, they’re all losers. Listen, I’m getting older in age – I want to go tap f****** Islam [Makhachev] I want to go beat these guys," Danis said.
"It’s now or never, I just turned 30, I’m willing to go and f****** go out there and see if what I’m saying is [true]."
"If I go to the UFC give me your toughest fight, give me Ian Garry, give me anybody, give me Neil Magny. 170lb, anybody, Leon Edwards would be the easiest fight. I actually like Colby [Covington] but yeah Colby.”
Danis hasn't fought for Bellator since 2019 but remains contracted to them.
While the promotion’s president Scott Coker has allowed him to take a boxing bout with Paul, it's unclear if he would be willing to let him take MMA fights with companies they consider rivals.
Only time will tell what Danis will do after his boxing debut.
