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At one point in time, Dillon Danis was one of the most exciting grapplers in the world. As the owner of a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt awarded to him by the legendary Marcelo Garcia, 'El Jefe' was a high-potential prospect. The world of combat grappling awaited his ascension with bated breath.
After he captured the IBJJF Pan Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship, it seemed like the sky was the limit. However, the skilled grappler abandoned BJJ in pursuit of a career in MMA. He joined SGB Ireland and became a key member of UFC star Conor McGregor's entourage of sparring partners.
Despite signing with Bellator, Danis only fought twice before being sidelined by a nagging knee injury. While some fans hoped that he'd eventually return to the cage, the undefeated mixed martial artist is instead returning to face KSI in a boxing match. Unfortunately, he's ill-equipped to win. This list details why.
#5. Dillon Danis is much smaller than KSI
While the Marcelo Garcia pupil is one inch taller than his foe, KSI possesses a four-inch reach advantage over him. Furthermore, the difference in weight is staggering. The YouTuber-turned-boxer has a much thicker and wider frame than his opponent.
The manner by which KSI outweighs Dillon Danis is significant as he fights at cruiserweight. This means that the British boxer usually cuts down to 180 lbs, whereas 'El Jefe' has spent much of his career as a welterweight. Such a large difference in weight does not bode well for the BJJ black belt.
This runs the risk of Danis lacking enough punching power to hurt his foe due to the negligible transfer of weight into his punches. This could enable KSI to simply walk his opponent down and trap him against the ropes. With nothing to deter him from simply marching him down, the British boxer will likely swarm his foe.
#4. KSI hits harder than anyone Dillon Danis has ever fought
Dillon Danis is not used to being hit in the face. This was evident from his poor defensive reaction to being punched by Kyle Walker in his first-ever MMA bout. He stiffened up and retreated.
If he briefly freezes whenever he's hit by lesser punchers than KSI, the situation could soon turn problematic against the British boxer. KSI possesses natural knockout power, which will only be magnified by how poorly 'El Jefe' responds to being hit. The size difference will also play a factor.
While Danis sometimes tries to keep his rear hand tucked close to his chin, he doesn't move his head off the center-line. Additionally, he keeps his chin high. He'll be exposed to the power punches of a much heavier and more powerful foe with better striking.
#3. Dillon Danis' offensive striking exposes him to strikes
The best glimpse of Dillon Danis' offensive striking was offered in his first fight under the Bellator banner. The former IBJJF grappler uses a stance that incorporates a wide, bladed stance similar to Conor McGregor's own stance. Thus, it enables 'El Jefe' to dart in and out of range fairly quickly.
However, his offensive striking was impotent during the bout. He seems hesitant to step into range and commit to any of his punches for fear of getting hit. During his first MMA fight, it led to situations where he took half-hearted steps forward while leaning his upper body away as he threw a punch.
Unfortunately, doing so exposed him to an overhand left. He doesn't raise his shoulder to partially block his chin when he extends his arm out for a punch. Instead, he leans away while jabbing. While this might work against a shorter foe, KSI has a four-inch reach advantage over Danis.
Other than his reach disadvantage, 'El Jefe' can also be timed every time he tries to enter range. He has an obvious tell of half-leaning away for fear of getting hit. KSI will undoubtedly take notice of these gaps in Danis' striking skills.
#2. KSI is a more experienced boxer
The unfortunate truth of the matter is that Dillon Danis has not fought anyone in the context of striking. Both of his MMA bouts ended under the two-minute mark with a submission win to his credit. While he does have ample experience as a no-gi grappler, that has nothing to do with boxing.
While he might have improved his striking by sparring with Conor McGregor during his absence from MMA, it won't be enough. Sparring to improve one's skill-set is not the same as facing an opponent who is determined to knock one unconscious. Dillon Danis has almost no experience facing such a foe.
Meanwhile, KSI has been boxing and training in the pugilistic arts for longer than 'El Jefe' has been an MMA fighter. While the quality of the YouTuber's opponents has certainly been questionable, he has fought at least one boxer.
Danis has fought no one of note and hasn't fought since 2019 with the exception of outside cage scuffles like the infamous brawl with Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229.
#1. Injury woes
Even before his injury issues, Dillon Danis was not a terribly active fighter. As an MMA fighter, he fought once every year. Unfortunately, the SBG product's history as a BJJ practitioner negatively impacted his health. Many long-term BJJ players suffer from ligament damage.
Such is the case with Dillon Danis. In 2020, he underwent seven hours of reconstructive surgery to repair the damaged ligaments in his knee. Unfortunately, in 2021 he was forced to undergo yet another surgery after his knee rejected the new ligaments.
The damage dealt to his knee was so extensive that he couldn't rotate his foot. While he's been medically cleared to box, the severity of the injuries was such that he spent 2020 and 2021 sidelined. He's likely to have a severe case of ring-rust by the time he steps inside the squared circle to box KSI in January.
Furthermore, his mobility is likely to be seriously compromised, as will his ability to load any weight on his legs.
