UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Two fights. Two finishes. Thus far in his pro career, Conor Dixon has beaten both opponents placed in his path.
At Bellator 231 on Friday night, Dixon (2-0 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) defeated promotional newcomer Orkhan Ismatzade (0-1 MMA, 0-1 BMMA). The fight came to an end when Dixon locked a kimura and secured the tap 42 seconds into the opening round.
While he was pleased with performance at Mohegan Sun Arena, Dixon is already looking for his next opponent. If he has his way, his future will link back to his past. Dixon wants to fight Dillon Danis, who he alleges turned down a Bellator 232 matchup against him.
“They’re going to keep putting guys in front of me and I’m going to keep submitting them,” Dixon told MMA Junkie after the fight. “I’m looking for big fish now. They offered me Dillon Danis for tomorrow a few months back, but he turned me down. I don’t know if he can deny me for much longer.”
A lot of fighters have voiced their disdain for Danis since he entered the MMA scene. However, Dixon’s issue is what he perceives to be Danis’ unwillingness to commit to difficult fights.
“He keeps trying to box Disney boxers,” Dixon said. “I don’t understand what his endgame is. If you put Dillon Danis in front of me, I will pummel him for three rounds straight or I will tap him out. He cannot run from me.”
Bellator’s welterweight division has a number of highly touted grapplers, including former Penn State wrestler Ed Ruth, BJJ wizard A.J. Agazarm, and the aforementioned Danis. After his second pro bout, Dixon believes his name should be a top the list.
“I’m going to prove I’m the best grappler in the division,” Dixon said. “If you put Ed Ruth in front of me, I’m going to submit him. You put A.J. Agazarm, I’ll cut down to 155, I’ll submit him. It does not matter. I’m here to prove I’m the best grappler in the 155-pound division (or) the170-pound division. It doesn’t matter. Put him in front of me, I’ll keep knocking them down.”
Where does Dixon’s confidence come from? The same place his physical abilities originate from, indicated Dixon. A member of three renowned Pennsylvania-based gyms, Dixon credited his training partners and coaches for his mold.
“I train at Renzo Gracie Philly and Webb’s,” Dixon said. “I’ve been doing jiu-jitsu my whole life with my dad at Impact and we’ve got straight killers. Sean Brady, Paul Felder, Jeremiah Wells. The list goes on and on and on.
“I train with straight killers on a daily basis, so I knew I was coming in here prepared for anything this guys was going to throw at me. I felt good. I felt really good. Again, I can cut down to 155. I feel good about any matchup. Any matchup in these 155 or 170-pound divisions. It’s not a plan to fast-track me. I’m ready for it. I really truly believe it.”