Tony Ferguson vs. Dillon Danis does indeed appear to be in the Global Fight League’s plans.
The GFL and Ferguson on Friday announced a much-discussed matchup between former UFC interim lightweight champion Ferguson and ex-Bellator prospect Danis for its inaugural season. The matchup is expected to take place at lightweight (165 pounds in the GFL) at a date and location yet to be revealed.
GFL founder Darren Owen teased his interest in the matchup in January while speaking to Uncrowned’s “The Ariel Helwani Show” following the upstart promotion’s debut MMA draft.
“We can make the fights that people want to see, and we’re listening to everybody, right?” Owen said. “Like Tony Ferguson, Dillon Danis — that may be something that will come to fruition.
“I’m a diehard MMA fan, I love the sport more than anything. I’ve always kind of prided myself on making exciting matchups, but also making matchups that people actually want to see. That’s first and foremost what we’re going to do, is deliver the real fights that people want.”
Ferguson (25-11) is a legendary former UFC contender who has fallen on extremely hard times since fading out of the lightweight elite. The 41-year-old, nicknamed “El Cucuy,” exited the UFC in 2024 after losing eight consecutive bouts — the longest losing streak in promotional history.
The slump sharply contrasts with Ferguson’s dominance in his heyday, as the “TUF 13” winner tied his longtime rival Khabib Nurmagomedov for the second longest win streak in UFC lightweight division history (12) from 2013-19.
Danis (2-0) appears to be setting up to be a busy man in 2025. The polarizing 31-year-old fighter is expected to box KSI on March 29 under the Misfits Boxing banner prior to his MMA return against Ferguson.
Danis most recently competed in an October 2023 disqualification loss to Logan Paul in boxing. His latest MMA bout came in a 2019 first-round submission win over Max Humphrey in Bellator.
A full breakdown of GFL’s rosters and draft results can be found here.
