In an unexpected turn of events, former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall and MMA competitor Dillon Danis were set to face each other in what would have been a groundbreaking open weight contest for the launch of Misfits MMA platform. However, the matchup failed to materialize due to sanctioning issues.
Hall, who has ventured into combat sports following his strongman career, was looking to add another notable name to his resume after his boxing match with Thor Bjornsson in 2022 and his viral MMA debut against the Neffati brothers. The 37-year-old athlete, who weighed a staggering 367 pounds in his last MMA appearance, was prepared to take on the significantly lighter Danis.
Danis, known for his association with UFC star Conor McGregor and his social media presence, typically competes at around 195 pounds, as evidenced by his recent boxing match with Logan Paul. This created an unprecedented weight disparity of over 150 pounds between the potential opponents.
The commissions’ concerns about health and safety risks, particularly regarding the massive weight difference, ultimately prevented the bout from receiving necessary approval. Danis, who holds a 2-0 professional record under the Bellator banner, has recently signed with the Global Fighters League and is scheduled to compete against KSI on March 29.
While Hall continues his regular training regimen, including a recent sparring session with kickboxer Rico Verhoeven, the future of this unique matchup remains uncertain. The possibility of reviving the contest at a later date hasn’t been ruled out, though Hall’s original plans indicated he wouldn’t compete until early this year.
The situation also impacts Hall’s previously planned contest with Mariusz Pudzianowski, which has been indefinitely postponed, leaving questions about what’s next for the British giant in the world of combat sports.
