In the world of mixed martial arts, the ongoing feud between UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones and the controversial grappler Dillon Danis has been a topic of interest since 2019. This rivalry caught more attention when Danis, known for his bold challenges, repeatedly called for a matchup against Jones. The tension between the two fighters was evident, and it seemed to escalate with each passing moment.
Ahead of his UFC 239 light heavyweight title defense against Thiago Santos, Jones addressed Danis’ persistent callouts. In a candid interview with Ariel Helwani, Jones expressed his thoughts on the situation. He brushed off Danis’ remarks, attributing them to an attempt at gaining more followers. “Dude, nothing’s going on there. I think he knows I’m the type of guy to respond and it’s getting his following up. And so, I think that’s what’s going on with him. At the end of the day, you know, I don’t come out and talk trash about these guys. That just came out of nowhere. I feel like I’ve been in this sport super relevant for over 10 years now. Some guys just like to bring up my name cause it makes them look cool,” Jones explained.
The possibility of a grappling match between Jones and Danis, who is a two-time gold medalist at the Pan Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship, was also brought up. Danis had claimed that he could comfortably handle Jones, despite the weight difference. However, Jones had a different perspective on the potential encounter. “I wouldn’t grapple him, no, but I’d put my foot in his mouth,” Jones stated, dismissing the idea of a grappling match but not the intensity of their rivalry.
The animosity between Jones and Danis didn’t fade away, especially when Danis faced influencer-turned-WWE superstar Logan Paul in a boxing match. The bout took place on Oct. 14, 2023, as part of The Prime Card’s co-main event. Danis had ramped up the pre-fight tension with provocative comments aimed at Paul’s fiancée, model Nina Agdal. During the fight, Paul maintained dominance, and the match concluded with Danis being disqualified in the final round for an illegal takedown and choke attempt.
Jones, following the disqualification of Danis, expressed his gratitude to Paul through social media. He posted a message on Instagram, thanking Paul on behalf of the entire martial arts community for his victory over Danis. The post was a clear indication of Jones’ stance in the ongoing feud and his satisfaction with the outcome of the match.
