Ariel Helwani evaluates Dillon Danis' UFC prospects, revisits Kimbo Slice's time competing on The Ultimate Fighter
Ariel Helwani recently weighed in on Dillon Danis potentially signing with the UFC and recalled Kimbo Slice's stint on 'The Ultimate Fighter' (TUF) in 2009. Danis is a free agent after being released by Bellator MMA earlier this month. He fought twice under the Bellator banner, winning both bouts via first-round submission.
Danis' last fight occurred in June 2019, after which he was forced to the sidelines due to injuries. After an extended layoff, 'El Jefe' made his boxing debut against Logan Paul earlier this month. Following a dismal performance, the 30-year-old lost the fight via disqualification.
Soon after, Dillon Danis took to social media and expressed his desire to compete in the UFC. The former Bellator welterweight voiced his intention to prove himself in the octagon and urged Dana White to sign him. While many believe he doesn't stand a chance with his 2-0 record, Ariel Helwani begs to differ.
During a recent episode of The MMA Hour, Helwani discussed Danis' chances of fighting in the UFC and recalled how former heavyweight contender Kimbo Slice entered the promotion at 35 thanks to his popularity on TUF. He said:
"He wants to be in the UFC... First of all, Conor [McGregor], one call. Second of all, he's a guy with a million followers now... There's interest now, do they pull one of those? Sort of like when they asked Kimbo to go on TUF... Contender Series or Ultimate Fighter... I'm not saying it's the right thing to do, but I can see it being a thing."
Dillon Danis urges Dana White to give him a UFC contract
As mentioned, Dillon Danis has been adamant about joining the UFC and relentlessly calling for an opportunity to prove himself in the famed octagon. Over the past few weeks, 'El Jefe' has also brashly claimed he'd make easy work of UFC champions like Jon Jones and Islam Makhachev.
Despite Danis' tenacity, many are skeptical of his chances, and his atrocious display of boxing skills against Logan Paul made his case even worse. Paul dominated Danis over six rounds and got hit only nine times. In the last round, Danis got himself disqualified after attempting an illegal guillotine choke.
In a post-fight interview with Piers Morgan, Dillon Danis stated that he's not interested in influencer boxing and wants to return to MMA. Calling on the UFC CEO to sign him, he said:
"I want to go to the UFC. I think the UFC now will see my potential in selling fights and everything like that. Sign me. Let’s do it. Give me the biggest fight, give me anybody you want... I want to go out there, and I’ll fight any one of them.”
Catch Danis' comments below (9:40):