Dillon Danis to Defend Misfits MMA Title Against Anthony Taylor in Inaugural Bout in Dubai

NEW YORK, NY – Dillon Danis, the controversial mixed martial artist and jiu-jitsu specialist, is set to make his first defense of the Misfits MMA title against veteran Anthony Taylor. The highly anticipated bout, announced by the promotion on Monday, November 10, 2025, will headline Misfits Mania on December 20 at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, marking a significant event for the burgeoning Misfits combat sports league.

Danis, known widely by his moniker "El Jefe," captured the inaugural Misfits MMA championship in August 2025 with a decisive 15-second submission victory over Warren Spencer at Misfits 22. That rapid finish not only secured his first title within the Misfits promotion but also improved his professional mixed martial arts record to an unblemished 3-0. While the win over Spencer showcased Danis’s elite grappling prowess, it also came against an opponent who, by many accounts, was significantly outmatched, leading to questions about the true test of Danis’s readiness for higher-level competition. Prior to joining Misfits, Danis had accumulated two professional MMA victories outside the promotion, leveraging his high-profile association with former UFC champion Conor McGregor and his decorated background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His transition into the Misfits sphere initially saw him competing in a boxing match against social media personality Logan Paul, a contest he ultimately lost via disqualification in the sixth round due to unsportsmanlike conduct, highlighting a contentious aspect of his public persona and in-ring demeanor.

His upcoming opponent, Anthony "Pretty Boy" Taylor, brings a wealth of experience to the cage, having amassed a professional mixed martial arts record of 7-5. Taylor’s career trajectory has seen him compete in various combat sports, including a notable stint in Bellator MMA before making the pivot to the influencer boxing circuit. His last professional MMA fight took place in January 2020 at Bellator 238, where he secured a victory over Chris Avila. This upcoming bout against Danis will mark Taylor’s return to mixed martial arts competition after a five-year hiatus, a significant layoff that will undoubtedly be a focal point in the pre-fight narrative. In the interim, Taylor has been active in boxing, notably suffering a knockout loss to former UFC contender Darren Till at Misfits 20, an event preceding Danis’s title win. This recent boxing experience within the Misfits framework provides Taylor with some familiarity with the promotion’s environment, albeit in a different discipline.

The matchup between Danis and Taylor presents a compelling clash of styles and career narratives. Danis, a submission specialist, relies heavily on his world-class jiu-jitsu to neutralize opponents and secure quick finishes. His undefeated MMA record, though comprising a relatively small number of fights, underscores his effectiveness when the fight hits the ground. Critics, however, often point to his limited striking experience and the controversial nature of his boxing debut as potential vulnerabilities. His ability to impose his grappling game against a more experienced MMA fighter like Taylor will be crucial.

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Taylor, on the other hand, possesses a more well-rounded MMA skillset, honed through his Bellator tenure. While his recent focus has been on boxing, his background suggests a competency in both striking and wrestling, making him a potentially more formidable challenge than Danis’s previous MMA opponents. The key question surrounding Taylor’s performance will be his ability to shake off the ring rust from his five-year absence from professional MMA and effectively transition from a boxing-centric training camp back to the demands of mixed martial arts. His defense against Danis’s takedowns and submission attempts, coupled with his offensive striking, will determine his success. Should Taylor manage to keep the fight standing, his boxing experience, even from his recent loss to Till, could prove advantageous against Danis’s less-tested striking.

The Misfits MMA title defense carries significant implications for both fighters and the Misfits promotion itself. For Dillon Danis, a successful defense would solidify his position as a legitimate champion within the Misfits ecosystem and potentially open doors for more challenging matchups. It would also serve to validate his claims of being a dominant force in mixed martial arts, moving beyond the shadow of his controversial boxing performance. A loss, however, would be a major setback, potentially derailing his momentum and raising further questions about his overall combat sports viability.

For Anthony Taylor, this fight represents a substantial opportunity to re-establish himself in the mixed martial arts landscape. Defeating Danis, particularly after a five-year hiatus from MMA, would be a career-defining victory and a significant upset, propelling him back into relevance in a major way. It would also send a strong message about the quality of competition Misfits MMA is capable of attracting. Conversely, a loss to Danis, especially if it were a decisive submission, might reinforce the challenges of returning to professional MMA after an extended break and a focus on another discipline.

The Misfits Mania event itself, taking place in Dubai, underscores the global ambitions of the Misfits promotion, which has rapidly carved out a niche by blending traditional combat sports with the immense reach of social media personalities and influencer culture. The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, a prominent venue, will host what the promotion expects to be a high-profile spectacle. The league’s strategy often involves attracting both seasoned professionals and popular figures, creating unique matchups that draw considerable viewership and engagement. The Danis-Taylor bout fits this model, pitting a skilled grappler with a polarizing personality against a seasoned fighter looking to make a statement comeback.

As the calendar approaches 2026, all eyes will be on Dubai for this crucial Misfits MMA championship clash. The fight promises to be a barometer for Dillon Danis’s championship reign and a litmus test for Anthony Taylor’s return to the professional mixed martial arts arena, with both fighters having considerable stakes in the outcome of their December 20 encounter.