Scott Coker: Dillon Danis Ready to Make First Bellator MMA Appearance Since 2019

It sounds like Dillon Danis is getting closer to making his first mixed martial arts appearance since 2019.

Following Bellator 275, promotion president Scott Coker revealed that he has been in contact with the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, who notably served as a training partner for former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor.

“He’s been texting me all weekend and saying he wants to get back in, he’s ready to get back in,” Coker said at the Bellator 275 post-fight press conference. “So as soon as I get back home, I’m going to call him, we’re going to see if we can put something together for him. But it’s going to be up to him. He’s going to have to really want it. He’s going to [have to] train and get in there.”

Danis’ signing with Bellator came with great fanfare, and he quickly established himself as one of the most outspoken fighters on the California-based promotion’s roster. The 28-year-old fought once in 2018 and 2019, earning first-round submission victories over Kyle Walker and Max Humphrey, respectively. Multiple knee injuries have sidelined Danis since then.

“Listen, when we signed Dillon, it was about being a high-level jiu-jitsu master, getting to the point where he could become a complete MMA fighter,” Coker said. “And I thought we were along the way, then he started getting injured and things got in the way. But if he’s ready to go, we’re ready to go.”