Dillon Danis has praised KSI for accepting a fight with him while claiming Logan and Jake Paul "ducked" a potential showdown.
Danis willl make a boxing appearance when he takes on YouTube star KSI - real name JJ Olatunji - at the OVO Wembley Arena on January 14. The MMA star has become known for his brash talking and constant call-outs of social media stars including high-profile siblings Jake and Logan Paul.
Conor McGregor's team-mate shared a long-term rivalry with the undefeated Paul brother Jake, but a fight failed to materialise with both camps heaping blame on each other. However Danis maintains that the YouTube boxers that have emerged are simply actors, and are pretending to be fighters.
"I think he's an actor," Danis said of his upcoming rival KSI during a face-off on Zoom ahead of their showdown. "He's not a real fighter he's an actor and he pretends like he is a fighter. He is a good character I will give him that. I will give KSI credit though because Logan Paul pulled out of this fight. Jake Paul ducked me.
"All of them ducked me whereas KSI actually signed the contract. Jake Paul did duck me one hundred percent. KSI knows that too he knows behind the scenes. Jake Paul want the fight then he ducked me, Logan we had it signed but then he pulled out with a fake injury and KSI came around."
Danis has been injured for several months which has delayed his potential appearance in the ring, but talks then suggested he would take on Paul's brother Logan in the build up to the latest Misfits Boxing card. However his rival suffered a torn knee ligament during his WWE appearance against Roman Reigns which derailed his plan to return to the boxing ring next year.
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DAZN)Paul himself has always laid blame on the fight collapsing at Danis' door, as he has since moved on to beat a whole host of other opponents including UFC legend Anderson Silva. And KSI's next rival even admitted that he was forced to reject the fight after struggling with a reoccurring knee injury last year.
Speaking on the MMA Hour, Danis said: “So, I’m allowed to do boxing, I’m saying in a month-and-a-half, two months. Right now, I can’t. I’m not allowed to turn my leg, so I can’t even do boxing. I’m not allowed to even pivot, that’s what I’m saying. I don’t think it’s about not being [able to fight him]. I think the fight will happen.
"He’s still calling me out. I mean, the thing is like, these fights should happen, you know. It’s just like Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov. These fights need to happen. And I think that me and him have so much beef. It’s not like anything ever happened – He hasn’t lost. I haven’t lost. I think we should do it.”
