BJJ wiz Dillon Danis made his long-awaited MMA debut last weekend at Bellator 198 in Rosemont, Ill. Despite a successful outcome for the Marcelo Garcia trained black belt, many of Danis’s more seasoned contemporaries were none to impressed.

Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler weighed in on the brash young star, as did former UFC champion Michael Bisping. Chandler tweeted, “Dillon Danis said he was the highest paid fighter in Bellator MMA, but I think he meant to say, ‘most un-athletic fighter in Bellator’ and that was against a man with a losing record.”

Perhaps Danis’s next opponent will have a winning record. While it’s too soon to know for certain, Cageside Press had a chance to speak with one fighter who believes he is the man to put an end to the ‘Danis Effect’— ‘The Half-Black Attack’ Jake Smith.

Danis has closely followed the blueprint that his “older brother” and teammate Conor McGregor has so masterfully executed. But what is it about this cocksure jiu jitsu specialist that rubs fighters the wrong way? “What isn’t there about him,” Smith said half-jokingly.

“I don’t know the guy personally, I don’t know what he is like at the gym, for all I know he could be a cool guy. But what I do know is that he is a nut-swinger on Conor McGregor and he is trying to be Conor,” he told us.

Smith would add, “I’m in Bellator, I don’t want Conor McGregor. I really don’t even want Danis. I want guys that are going to come and fight. Shut your f***ing mouth and fight!”

For Smith, who spends his days training with Chael Sonnen, talking a good game is almost as important as backing it up. But according to ‘The Half-Black Attack’, the Danis fight is already in the works. “I think the fight with Danis is pretty likely,” said Smith.

“From what I know we’re looking at the Fall. Things are kind of done behind the scenes in fighting, and promotions don’t like it when you spoil the day,” Smith added.

If the fight with Smith does come to fruition, Danis, in just his second pro MMA fight will be matched up against a complete fighter in Smith, albeit they do compete in different weight classes. (155lb for Smith & 170lb for Danis)

“It makes no difference to me,” Smith said regarding the difference in weight. “He (Danis) is the fakest dude on TV, he is a good jiu jitsu guy, but I’m going to kick his ass.”

Fingers crossed in hopes that Bellator MMA books Dillon Danis against Jake Smith. Just imagine the trash talk during the build up of this one. Whoever gets the Danis fight, you know there’s going to be a ton of hype.

The post Bellator Fighter Jake Smith Says He Is Next In Line For Dillon Danis appeared first on Cageside Press.

Jake Smith was making his Bellator debut Friday night at Bellator 193 in Temecula, CA. Smith, who trains with Chael Sonnen, faced Steve Kozola Friday at lightweight to open the card at the Pechanga Resort and Casino. Kozola, who went 8-0 to start his career, entered the night off his first loss as a pro, having dropped a decision to Carrington Banks at Bellator 184.

Smith, for his part, came into Bellator 193 off a split decision win against Scotty Hao under the King of the Cage banner.

This one was over in the blink of an eye.

The newcomer Smith was backed up against the fence early in the bout, but answered back with his power! A hard overhand right connected clean on Steven Kozola, buckling his legs. Smith connected with another right, and launched a left, as Kozola was on his way down. He followed that initial volley with a number of hammer fists as referee Frank Trigg moved in for the save. As quickly as it had begun, it was over, and Jake Smith had his first win under the Bellator banner, in his promotional debut!

Jake Smith def. Steve Kozola by knockout, Round 1, 0:57

The post Bellator 193 Results: Jake Smith Rocks, Drops Steve Kozola Early appeared first on Cageside Press.