May 6, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; UFC fighter Tony Ferguson during weigh ins for UFC 274 at the Arizona Federal Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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Dillon Danis Has An Ominous Message For Tony Ferguson Ahead Of His GFL Debut

Controversial fighter Dillon Danis slams Tony Ferguson and his losing streak!

May 6, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; UFC fighter Tony Ferguson during weigh ins for UFC 274 at the Arizona Federal Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The fight game has always thrived on bold declarations and heated rivalries. From Muhammad Ali’s poetic taunts to Conor McGregor’s psychological warfare, fighters have long understood that what happens before the cage door closes can be just as important as what happens inside it.

Now Dillon Danis, a jiu-jitsu specialist with a knack for generating headlines, has set his sights on Tony Ferguson. He is looking to add another chapter to his colorful combat sports story while potentially closing the book on Ferguson’s legendary career. Danis and Ferguson represent two very different trajectories in combat sports. One is a controversial figure still trying to establish himself in MMA, the other a former interim champion whose best days appear behind him. Their paths are now set to cross in what could be a defining moment for both men’s careers.

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Tony Ferguson vs. Dillon Danis: The Upcoming Fight

Team New York’s Dillon Danis (2-0) is scheduled to face Team Los Angeles’ Tony Ferguson (25-11) in a lightweight main event on May 25. The showdown will take place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles as part of the Global Fighting League’s growing roster of high-profile matchups. This marks an important return to MMA for Danis, whose last cage appearance came nearly six years ago at Bellator 222 when he submitted Max Humphrey.

🚨 GFL Fans 🚨
You asked, we listened! Our most requested bout is now official as Tony “El Cucuy” Ferguson squares off with Dillon “El Jefe” Danis in a legendary Lightweight matchup. Who you got? pic.twitter.com/kI5owGVC0k
— Global Fight League (@mmagfl) February 28, 2025

The timing couldn’t be more critical for Ferguson. Once riding a 12-fight win streak that seemed unstoppable, ‘El Cucuy’ has since fallen on hard times. His most recent defeat came at the hands of Michael Chiesa last August, marking his eighth consecutive loss in the UFC. This is an unfortunate record for the former interim lightweight champion. The shift to GFL represents a new chapter for Ferguson, though one that comes with significant pressure to snap his losing streak.

Dillon Danis Sends Outrageous Message

Danis didn’t mince words when discussing his upcoming opponent. His statement carries particular weight given Ferguson’s current career trajectory. Many fans and analysts are already questioning how much longer the 41-year-old veteran should continue competing.

“I’m going to retire Tony Ferguson and bury ‘El Cucuy’ in the same grave as his win streak,” Danis told MMA Junkie via a text message on Tuesday.

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This kind of psychological warfare isn’t new for Danis. The jiu-jitsu practitioner has made a name for himself through controversial statements and social media antics. Having trained extensively with Conor McGregor, Danis seems to have adopted some of the Irishman’s promotional tactics, understanding that getting under an opponent’s skin can sometimes be half the battle. Moreover, he was the one that Khabib Nurmagomedov attacked after beating McGregor, leading to a full on riot.

Interestingly, Danis himself has been relatively inactive in MMA competition. His professional record stands at just 2-0, with his last fight coming back in 2019. Most of his recent combat sports activity has involved boxing, including a disqualification loss to Logan Paul in October 2023. He was scheduled to face KSI in a 185-pound boxing match on March 29 in Manchester, England, but that bout fell through when KSI withdrew due to illness.

As May 25 approaches, all eyes will be on this unlikely pairing of fighters at very different stages of their careers. For Danis, it’s an opportunity to back up his bold talk and establish himself as more than just a provocateur. For Ferguson, it’s potentially a last stand, a chance to show that despite his recent setbacks, ‘El Cucuy’ still has some fight left in him!

(Image Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – Imagn Images)

Dillon Danis

Tony Ferguson

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!