In a highly anticipated boxing match that was filled with drama and controversy, YouTuber-turned-WWE superstar Logan Paul dominated MMA fighter Dillon Danis in a six-round bout in Manchester. This was Paul's first boxing match since his exhibition two years ago against Floyd Mayweather, and he made sure to make a statement.
From the very beginning, it was evident that Paul was in control. The first five rounds belonged to him, as he landed an impressive 82 punches while Danis struggled to connect with just nine. However, it was not just Paul's superior boxing skills that stole the show, but also Danis' bizarre behavior inside the ring.
Throughout the match, Danis seemed to bring his trolling tactics into the boxing ring. He resorted to backhanded punches and even laid down in the middle of the ring, provoking both his opponent and the crowd. But that was just a small glimpse of what was to come in the final round.
As the sixth round unfolded, Danis, desperate to turn the tide in his favor, went for Paul's legs in an MMA-style grapple. However, Paul swiftly evaded his attempt, leaving Danis frustrated and resorting to unconventional tactics. In a shocking move, Danis attempted a guillotine chokehold on Paul, which the latter managed to escape. Seizing the opportunity, Paul threw a punch at Danis while he was still on the mat.
The tension escalated rapidly as Danis got up, refusing to let go of his anger. The referee tried to intervene and separate the fighters, but Danis launched an attack on Paul, igniting chaos inside the ring. Security guards rushed in to control the situation, but the chaos continued to escalate as Paul's younger brother, Jake, also got involved in the scuffle.
The scene became chaotic as security guards from both sides clashed with one another, trying to restore order. Ultimately, Danis was disqualified from the match due to his aggressive behavior towards security and Paul, despite Paul's clear lead in the first five rounds.
This intense rivalry between Paul and Danis had been brewing for weeks, with Danis even taking shots at Paul's fiancee. Their animosity reached its peak during the pre-fight press conference, where Danis threw a microphone at Paul, causing him to sport a black eye. Despite the tensions, Paul maintained a composed demeanor, stating that forgiveness was the only way to face Danis "without emotion."
Clearly affected by Danis' antics, Paul expressed his disappointment in an interview with Ariel Helwani. He criticized Danis as a “coward” and a "dirty, dirty human being," questioning his skills in jiu-jitsu. Paul even went on to call out Conor McGregor, referring to him as "that little leprechaun," indicating his interest in future boxing matchups.
Although Paul has been increasingly focused on his WWE career, even calling out Rey Mysterio for the U.S. title, his victory over Danis solidified his prowess in the boxing ring. It was evident that Danis, an MMA fighter, was ill-equipped to compete with Paul's boxing skills, ultimately leading to his disqualification and the chaos that followed.
As security guards were finally able to restrain the situation, it became clear that this match had not only showcased Paul's dominance but had also exposed the mismatch between MMA and boxing. The aftermath of this event will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on both fighters and the boxing world as a whole.
