“Don’t think people understand what I’m about to do to Danis. His fight with Ferguson will be dead. His UFC dreams will be dead. His career in combat sports will finally be dead.” Earlier this month, YouTuber-turned-boxer KSI issued a bold warning to Dillon Danis, claiming he would dismantle him and ruin his MMA future ahead of their highly anticipated “unfinished business” boxing match, which was set to take place under the Misfits banner on March 29 at the Manchester Arena in England.

However, KSI’s words hit a snag when, on March 21, he dashed the hopes of boxing fans by announcing he was too ill to fight. In a video message, KSI shared, “I tried my hardest, but my body has legit just given up. I’m currently in bed, taking antibiotics, trying to recover. My sinuses are hurting to the point where I need Ibuprofen every day.” Despite the setback, KSI assured fans that he had only postponed the fight, not canceled it. This isn’t the first time their bout has been delayed.  In 2023, at the X Series 004 event, Dillon Danis withdrew from the fight due to insufficient preparation and a lack of proper coaching.

Now, with a new opponent in sight, Dillon Danis’ MMA dream appears more within reach than ever. Prior to making his official MMA debut under GFL against legendary Tony Ferguson in May. Meanwhile, in a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, Mike Perry shared an update on his own upcoming MMA fight with ‘El Jefe’ under the Misfit banner.

Perry revealed, “And it looks like I might be getting this last-minute call, which I said yes to. Then it’s just in the gym, preparing, and nothing’s gonna take me out of that zone. I will be in the gym twice a day, focused on what I need to do. I will be handling all the other business through email… But, you know, I’m very busy these days.”

Dillon Danis first rose to prominence in 2016 when he joined UFC megastar Conor McGregor’s camp. Over the years, he has trained with elite fighters like Alex Pereira. However, now at 31, ‘El Jefe’ has struggled to stay active in competition. He has just two professional MMA bouts to his name, both in Bellator. Despite his talent, his controversial persona has often created friction with promoters, organizations, and even his own training camps.

On the other hand, Mike Perry has reinvented himself as a breakout star since leaving the UFC in 2021. He has become a dominant force in bare-knuckle boxing under BKFC and is also the co-owner of Dirty Boxing Promotion alongside reigning UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones. ‘Platinum’ has described DBX as a promotion on a completely different level. Now, let’s hear from the BKFC champion himself.

Mike Perry on Dirty Boxing Championship’s standing among promotions

“I was hooked from the first show, and I believe this is going to be a powerhouse in combat sports. I’m proud to attach my name to it,” said reigning UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones, reaffirming his commitment to the Dirty Boxing Championship (DBX). Mike Perry spearheads the newly established promotion, launched last year, alongside Jones’ longtime management team, Malki Kawa and Abe Kawa. DBX made its mark with a successful pilot event, paving the way for its growing influence in the fight world.

Recently, DBX generated buzz in Miami, where fans witnessed former UFC star Yoel Romero step back into the spotlight. Speaking with Inside Fighting, Mike Perry was asked about DBX’s position within the MMA landscape. He highlighted the promotion’s unique appeal, emphasizing its raw, no-nonsense approach to combat.

Malki Kawa further elaborated on DBX’s vision, recalling a conversation with Mike Perry about what sets their promotion apart. “Mike, remember when we sat down and talked about what we hate about boxing? It’s the same old jab, jab, jab, punch, then circle, circle—jab, jab—no real action. The first five or six rounds of those fights are often just that,” Kawa explained. He continued, “Fans want excitement. Nobody has time to sit through slow fights. We don’t have time. That’s exactly what we aim to change with DBX.”

What are your thoughts on Mike Perry’s latest announcement? Has he successfully shifted the boxing hype from KSI to MMA by fueling the rivalry with Dillon Danis? Share your take below!