KSI's next opponent is CONFIRMED after Wayne Bridge pulled out of crossover boxing fight - with YouTuber set to face MMA star in the ring

• e-mail

KSI will face MMA star Dillon Danis in his next boxing fight, after Wayne Bridge pulled out of his bout with the Youtuber-turned-boxer.

The former Chelsea defender, 44, was set to fight KSI in Manchester on March 29 but he dramatically withdrew from the event in a statement posted on Monday.

This came after the social media sensation aimed a jibe at Bridge after Misfits Boxing 20 on Saturday night, regarding his ex-girlfriend's alleged affair with John Terry.

Now, KSI is set to face Danis - who previously fought Logan Paul on a Misfits card and lost - inside the squared circle on March 29.

His bout against Paul was heavily debated after the MMA star barely threw a punch and, more often than not, looked to land a takedown in the boxing fight.

Danis and KSI previously clashed at a Misfits press conference, when the American tossed coffee over his British counterpart after a brief face-to-face. 

KSI's next boxing opponent has been confirmed after Wayne Bridge pulled out of their fight

The Youtuber will take on MMA star Dillon Danis in a fight inside the ring on March 29

Danis also made headlines in the build-up to his fight with Paul back in 2023 after he took aim at his opponent's partner, Nina Agdal, in a series of posts online.

The American ex-MMA fighter is best known for training alongside UFC icon Conor McGregor but has a history in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and other martial arts.

The cocky competitor has more than two million followers on Instagram and a 100 percent win record in the U.S. Welterweight MMA division.

In his bout with Paul, the fight descended into chaos after MMA star Danis tried to take Paul down with a jiu-jitsu move in the final round.

Security was forced to swarm into the ring to separate the two fighters, with Paul's corner taking to the canvas to defend their fighter. Danis' team joined them in the ring as a mass brawl broke out. 

Paul was announced as the winner after confirmation that Danis had been disqualified.

Meanwhile, last month, during a face-off in the ring with Bridge, KSI said: 'Aren't you the guy that let John Terry smash your ex?' Bridge replied: 'You want to go there straight away do you?'

'I'm pretty sure that's what you're known for,' KSI added, before riling up the crowd and starting a chant that went: 'Vanessa woah, Vanessa woah', referencing Bridge's ex-girlfriend Vanessa Perroncel.

Fans have slammed Logan Paul 's fight with Dillon Danis as a 'disgrace to boxing'

Wayne Bridge was angered by KSI's taunts and the pair had to be separated by security

KSI asked Bridge during the face-off: 'Aren't you the guy that let John Terry smash your ex?'

KSI proceeded to add X-rated words to his chant that directly referenced Terry and Bridge's former partner.

Bridge then announced that he wished to protect his family from such comments and would seek another challenge in the ring later down the line. 

The statement read: 'I'm sure a lot of you have seen what happened on Saturday night at the Misfits Boxing event.

'Firstly, I think it's important that I explain my reason for accepting the fight. I always like to challenge myself. This felt like a good opportunity to go up against an interesting opponent on a big stage.

'I have always loved boxing as part of my everyday training routine. I was fully prepared to train hard and have some fun. Of course, I expected to face some criticism, but I feel like what was said on Saturday crossed a line. 

'These are deeply personal comments that affect mine and other families involved in the situation. I'm a family man first and my priority is protecting them.

44-year-old Bridge revealed that he would seek another challenge in the ring down the line

'My opponent is someone that many children look up to around the, including my kids. I hope one day he will look back on this differently. I personally don't want to be involved in these exchanges. I will no longer be fighting on March 29.

'I'm still looking out for my next big challenge and have some exciting things coming up in 2025. Thanks for all the love. The support has been overwhelming. 

'I want my friends and family to know how special they are. Deep down I know this is the right thing to do.'

London-born KSI, whose real name is Olajide Olatunji has amassed millions of followers, has released a rap album and oversees a number of business ventures. He has twice fought Logan Paul and has four wins, a draw and a loss from six fights.