Austin Vanderford is planning his MMA return after recovering from injuries and securing his release post-PFL and Bellator merger, but despite public challenges, he doubts Dillon Danis will be his comeback opponent.
One-time Bellator title challenger Austin Vanderford is plotting his MMA return. He highly doubts Dillon Danis will be the opponent to welcome him back.
After securing his release following the PFL and Bellator merger, Vanderford has been healing up some injuries. He’s awaiting the right opportunity to book his next fight.
As he pursued various options, Vanderford suddenly found himself in a position where Danis seemed like the perfect opponent. This came after Danis targeted his wife Paige VanZant in a series of social media posts.
VanZant handled her own in the feud but proposed a fight between Vanderford and Danis to settle things once and for all. Unfortunately, that call has fallen on deaf ears.
“We haven’t ever heard anything back,” Vandeford recently told MMA Fighting. “I would sure love that, for sure. We could make some good moves with that.”
“We’ve made it public that I would love to fight him under whatever stipulations he would have or whatever. We haven’t ever heard anything back.”
Danis hasn’t competed in MMA since 2019, when he improved his record to 2-0 with a submission win in Bellator before being released in 2023. Since then, Danis suffered a disqualification loss in an ugly boxing match against Logan Paul.
Danis is also currently embroiled in a lawsuit filed by Paul’s fiancée Nina Agdal. She alleges he violated state and Federal revenge porn laws by posting illicitly obtained photos of her online.
There’s no word if Danis plans to compete again, but Vanderford still welcomes the challenge — it’s more personal than business now.
“I’m sure he demands a lot of money,” Vanderford said. “I would just go fight him for whatever. I’d go fight him for free.”
For her part, VanZant doesn’t believe Danis would ever step up to the plate.
“I don’t know that he’ll ever fight again.”
Beyond an unlikely fight against Danis, Vanderford still hopes to return soon.
“Everything that went through with the PFL and Bellator merger was tough,” Vanderford said.
“I had an injury setback too.”
Once all that got figured out, we came up with a game plan.
“I train full time,” he continued.
“No matter how busy we are.”
So just being ready.
“I’ve decided I’m going back to 170 pounds,” he added.
Working on getting my weight back down so if an opportunity arose…
In the bigger picture, Vanderford wants to earn a spot on the UFC roster.
It was always his dream upon becoming a fighter.
He nearly got his chance back in 2018 after scoring a submission win on Dana White’s Contender Series.
But UFC didn’t offer him a contract.
That led to his arrival at Bellator where he spent over four years.
Now he’s free agent again.
He knows there’s work ahead but he’s willing to do whatever it takes.
“Getting into this sport, that’s our goal — fighting in UFC,” Vanderford said.
Of course coming off losses and setbacks…
But feeling mentally strong now!
Mistakes were made but kept head down working hard staying ready for next thing.
Would like something booked soon – end July maybe?
Truly feel healthiest I’ve been awhile now.
Excited get back compete especially watching [VanZant] adds fuel fire!