Mike Perry vs. Dillon Danis MMA fight set for new promotion

Mike Perry and Dillon Danis will finally meet in a mixed martial arts bout at Duel Arena 1, a new hybrid combat sports event on August 29 in Orlando. Sources with knowledge of the promotion confirmed the welterweight matchup will take place at Kia Center, hosted by DuelBet's inaugural card. Unlike traditional UFC events, the bouts will occur in a ring rather than a cage.

Duel Arena 1 is being billed as a "hybrid card featuring MMA, boxing and kickboxing," according to promoter Dean Toole, who revealed to MMA Fighting that the card will also include influencer bouts and several other UFC veterans yet to be announced. Broadcast details are expected in the coming week.

Perry is competing in his second consecutive MMA bout. "Platinum" ended a run in bareknuckle boxing with a successful return to mixed rules at May's Rousey vs. Carano event on Netflix, where he defeated Nate Diaz via second-round corner stoppage TKO. Danis, meanwhile, has competed sporadically in MMA over the past year. His most recent mixed martial arts contest came in August 2025, when he submitted Warren Spencer in just 15 seconds at Misfits 22. Since then, Danis has competed in freestyle wrestling, losing via tech fall to Colby Covington at RAF 7 in March and via pinfall to Khamzat Chimaev at RAF 10 in June—a result that sparked an all-out brawl.

This bout represents a significant opportunity for both fighters as Duel Arena establishes itself as a new player in combat sports promotion.