DILLON DANIS has opened up on how his horror knee injury left him in the darkest of places – and how boxing has been an unlikely source of light.
The American shot to fame in 2016 after being hired by Conor McGregor as a jiu-jitsu training partner before the Irishman’s rematch win over Nate Diaz.
@dillondanisDillon Danis recovered after horror knee injuries[/caption]
SplashHe has turned it around to embark on a big-money boxing switch[/caption]
Danis has since become a controversial and outspoken figure in fight sports after going 2-0 in MMA.
But two agonising knee injuries suffered in training left him bed bound and depressed.
Danis, 31, told SunSport: “It was terrible. F***ing terrible.
“I mean, I don’t want to get too dark, but it does get a little suicidal because you can’t do what you love and you’re stuck in a bed in a brace, you can’t move for eight months.
“I had it twice, so yeah, it’s f***ing brutal. You don’t know if you’re ever gonna be the same again.
“There’s a lot of s***, man, it’s one of the worst things that you can go through as an athlete.”
Danis’ last fight in the cage was 2019 and he became more recognisable as an internet troll than professional fighter.
And despite limited striking skills, Danis chased big-money boxing bouts against the likes of Jake Paul.
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He pulled out of a 2023 fight against KSI before eventually facing Paul’s brother Logan in his boxing debut in 2023.
Danis does now return to the ring once more to fight KSI on March 29 in Manchester – three years after their initial bout was axed.
And, the New Yorker also has an MMA return scheduled for May against ex-UFC star Tony Ferguson, 41.
It is a sudden turn of events for the 31-year-old – who welcomed his son into the world one month before fighting Logan.
Danis said: “I’m fine money-wise, it’s just more for my legacy in my career.
“I wanna get back just fighting, that’s what I love to do. I have to do knee surgeries and now I’m more healthy.
“So I just wanna be active, but obviously having a son is great, but you know, providing, but I have money, so it is what it is.”
Danis was disqualified in the sixth and final round against Logan after attempting an MMA-style submission move.
And he had no plans of ever getting back into the boxing ring – until a mega-money offer came in from old enemy KSI.
Danis said: “I didn’t wanna box again, to be honest with you.
@dillondanisDanis welcomed his son into the world in 2023[/caption]
@dillondanisDanis is out to provide for his boy[/caption]
“I want MMA but then this fight came around and it was KSI and redemption and there was a lot of things into it.
“A lot of money, and you know me and KSI’s backstory, him being close to Logan.
“So yeah, I mean it is what it is. I knew that KSI always needed me with this fight. I don’t need him. He needs me.”
KSI is yet to return since suffering his first defeat in the ring, losing a controversial decision to Tommy Fury, 25, the night Danis fought Logan.
And the British YouTuber-turned-boxer was left scrambling for an opponent after ex-Chelsea defender Wayne Bridge, 44, pulled out.
That was after KSI made reference to Bridge’s infamous feud with former team-mate John Terry.
So Danis was called in as a late replacement – offering him and KSI the chance to finish their feud once and for all.
But Danis said: “I just feel like he’s not equal to me. I was saying he’s like a little brother to me, so I don’t know, I don’t really care about the guy.
“I’m gonna knock him out and get my money and go and fight Tony. So it is what it is. It’s an easy boxing match.
“He’s gonna run around for six rounds. I know how he is. I’m just happy to punch him in the face.”
The bad blood between the two escalated on stage at the press conference when KSI slapped Danis with a PANCAKE.
Danis had to be held back by a team of security as he desperately tried to get his hands on KSI – who wheeled off in laughter.
PAKSI slapped Danis with a pancake at their press conference[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
