TLDR
- Nate Diaz believes Dillon Danis intentionally injured himself to avoid fighting Mike Perry at Duel Arena 1
- Danis withdrew from the fight at the last minute after revealing a serious cut on his arm
- Mike Perry suffered a pay cut, fought a replacement opponent, injured his shoulder, and lost
- Diaz called Danis embarrassing and questioned why legitimate fighters continue booking him
- Danis has a history of pulling out of scheduled fights despite securing high-profile matchups
Sources: mmamania.com | mmasucka.com | youtube.com
Nate Diaz believes Dillon Danis deliberately injured himself to avoid fighting Mike Perry at Duel Arena 1 last month. The Stockton fighter shared his harsh opinion about the fight cancellation in a recent interview with MMA Junkie.
Danis was scheduled to fight Perry in an MMA bout at the inaugural Duel Arena 1 event. At the last minute, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner pulled out after showing a serious cut on his arm and photos of surgery.
Diaz did not hold back when discussing the situation. “He cut himself open just not to fight,” Diaz said. “That’s crazy to me.”
The veteran fighter called Danis an embarrassment to the sport. He questioned why Perry or any legitimate fighter would agree to face someone with a history of withdrawing from matches.
Dillon Danis Says Viral Photos Claiming To Show Him Snorting White Substance Are Bogus https://t.co/klAlJatQjq
— TMZ (@TMZ) September 9, 2026
Perry Suffers After Danis Withdrawal
The cancellation had serious consequences for Perry. He faced a major pay cut when Danis pulled out of the event.
Perry decided to fight a short-notice replacement opponent instead. He injured his shoulder during that bout and ended up losing the fight.
Diaz, who fought Perry earlier this year, was hoping for a rematch with “Platinum.” He expressed frustration that Perry chose to fight Danis instead.
“Why are you fighting that guy? He’s not a fighter,” Diaz told MMA Junkie. “He’s a pussy bitch. People keep falling for this.”
Diaz suggested that anyone with a problem with Danis should handle it off-camera. “Beat his ass in a bathroom somewhere,” he said. “You don’t have to fight that guy.”
Danis Pattern of Fight Cancellations
Danis has become known in combat sports for withdrawing from scheduled fights. Despite this pattern, he continues to secure high-profile matchups.
The former jiu-jitsu competitor has built a large following on social media. His name recognition makes him an attractive option for promoters looking to draw attention to events.
For Perry, the risk-reward calculation appeared favorable before the fight fell through. The risk was not that Danis would win, but that he would pull out.
Diaz called Danis “not an eligible opponent.” He said it is embarrassing that Danis continues to book fights with professional fighters.
Diaz has a professional MMA record of 22-13 with 13 submission victories. He spent over 15 years competing in the UFC against top-level competition.
Perry holds a 14-8 UFC record with 11 knockouts. He has recently found success in bare-knuckle boxing competitions.
Diaz believes fighters with real credentials are hurting themselves and the sport by giving Danis platforms. He views these matchups as rewarding someone who operates mainly through social media presence rather than actual fighting.
The number of high-profile free agents in MMA remains limited outside the UFC. This makes fighters like Danis appealing options despite their unreliable track record.
Danis previously trained with Conor McGregor as a grappling coach. He has not competed regularly in professional MMA despite his jiu-jitsu background.
