One of Jake Paul's rivals has explained why their boxing fight has never happened.
MMA fighter Dillon Danis has revealed that an injury prevented him from facing Jake Paul in the boxing ring, but is confident that a fight will materialise at some point.
Danis and Paul have been rivals for a number of years with the two going back and forth on social media, before a 2020 incident saw their feud heat up when Paul infamously filmed a drive-by water attack.
He confirmed that he looked set to finally meet the 24-year-old before the deal collapsed at the back end of 2020, forcing Paul to pursue Tyron Woodley.
Danis, a long time friend of Conor McGregor and the man who was attacked by Khabib Nurmagomedov after he defeated the Irishman, has now revealed that injury has delayed his return to fighting action against Paul.
Speaking on the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, 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."
Danis last fought in a victory against Max Humphrey at Bellator 222 two years ago and has struggled with injuries ever since.
Although still clamouring for the contest Paul appears to have squashed any chances of a meeting between the pair, suggesting Danis is using his name for "clout".
And he will now likely take on undefeated British light-heavyweight Tommy Fury. However, Paul has warned Fury not to miss out on a shot in the same footsteps as Danis.
"I have dozens of other fighters calling me out every single week, Tommy. You’re replaceable," Paul said in a social media video. "It’s the same thing that I told Dillon Danis in our DMs.
"I told Dillon there was definitely potential in negotiating up to $1 million. And if I have to some of my own purse to get this done, I will.
"I told Dillon, ‘I personally want to fight you the most but A, If you don’t take it right now, the odds of us fighting in the future are very slim; and B, obviously, this is the biggest fight you will most likely ever see; and C, we have other offers out there, so you need to make an offer in less than 72 hours.’
“Dillon fumbled his bag. He didn’t want to fight. And guess what? I am never gonna fight Dillon Danis ever. He missed the biggest opportunity of his life. He thought I was joking around. And now, Dillon Danis is in jail. Tommy, do you want to end up in jail? Take the fight, Tommy."
