Dillon Danis has thrown down the gauntlet to YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, challenging him to an MMA bout following his contentious fight with Mike Tyson.
Paul, 27, is currently in the final stages of preparation for his face-off with “Iron Mike”. The heavyweight showdown is set to occur on November 15 at the AT&T Arena in Arlington, Texas. Paul enters the ring on the heels of a knockout victory over Mike Perry in July.
Paul made his professional boxing debut four years ago and has already claimed victories over Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva, and Nate Diaz in his brief career. With a professional record of 10-1, his sole loss in the sport was a points defeat to Tommy Fury last year.
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Many in the boxing community have criticized the decision to proceed with the match. Tyson had to withdraw from the original contest earlier this year due to an ulcer flare-up. The 58-year-old was advised to cease training but has since returned to the gym and asserts he will be ready to step into the ring next month. The boxing veteran’s last professional fight took place in 2005 when he was defeated by Kevin McBride.
While Paul is locked in on his upcoming bout with Tyson, it’s clear he’s also got ambitions to grapple in the cage. Last year, the 27-year-old clinched a multi-year contract with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), not just stepping into the ring but also snagging an equity piece of the action.
PFL head honcho Peter Murray recently dished to Bloody Elbow about Paul’s move to MMA, slated for next year. He said: “Jake will continue on his boxing journey, but he is committed to making his PFL MMA debut in 2025.
Paul is more than 30 years younger than Tyson (
AFP via Getty Images)
“We have a partnership with Jake and we’re looking forward to supporting him in MMA. We’re going to stage that mega event next year and more to come on that too, that will happen. There’s a number of opponents who continue to line up.
“Conceptually this event continues to getting bigger and bigger. Jake has committed to take on a for real, legitimate fighter. So it’ll be a spectacle.”
As buzz builds around who Paul might face in his MMA opening act, one thing’s crystal: the contender list isn’t short. And now, Danis has chucked his hat in the contender circle. Using X, Danis laid down the gauntlet this past weekend, proclaiming: “If PFL wants to stay in business, their only option is me vs Jake Paul in MMA since his brother isn’t a man of his word and ——- out of our deal.”
Doubling down, he slammed: “PFL will be out of business soon, wasting too much money and no stars, with boring — fights.”
Danis has previously competed in the cage. With a record of 2-0, his last bout in the octagon was in 2019 when he triumphed over Max Humphrey via first-round submission. The American has also ventured into the boxing ring professionally. Last year, the 31-year-old faced off against Jake’s brother, Logan, but lost due to disqualification.
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