Scott Coker: I would love to have Dillon Danis back, but he has to 'do his part'

Scott Coker is still awaiting Dillon Danis’ return.

The polarizing jiu-jitsu ace hasn’t competed since June 2019 and complications with knee surgery have kept him on the sidelines ever since.

Coker is yet to have a concrete update on Danis (2-0 MMA, 2-0 BMMA), but the Bellator president is willing to be flexible in working with whatever Danis is looking to do upon returning.

“If Dillon is ready to compete and fight at the level he needs to compete at here in Bellator then give us a call and let’s put him in,” Coker told MMA Junkie. “Let’s get you back. Last year I think he was plagued with injuries and it really hurt his getting back into the cage in 2021 this year, but hopefully, we get him back next year. We would love to have Dillon back, but he’s gonna have to do his part too and if he can get to that point where he could fight at this level then let’s put him in.”

He continued, “We’re here. We’re doing fights twice a month now so we’re gonna have opportunities to fight you. It’s just that are you ready and are you ready to step in? This is not easy. This is not an easy sport. This is something that’ll take a lot out of you and the time commitment, are you ready to do that and if he is, and he gets in shape at that level and can fight at a certain weight class that we need him to fight, if he’s having a hard time making weight, we could fight him in the next weight class. We’ll be flexible, but we’ll give him opportunity to start his comeback once he’s ready.”

Despite his inactivity, Danis has not kept his name out of the headlines. The 28-year-old longtime training partner of former UFC dual-champion Conor McGregor was recently arrested for disorderly conduct in September on the Jersey Shore, but was released shortly after.