Introduction
Dillon Danis is never far from headlines. A Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion turned mixed martial artist, Danis has carved out a recent reputation not just for his grappling skills, but for his fiery feuds — especially with Islam Makhachev and his team. The drama peaked once again around UFC 322, when a massive brawl involving Danis and members of Islam’s camp erupted cageside. Here, we break down who Danis is, his background, his MMA record, the brawls, and how the online world (especially Reddit) is reacting.
Who Is Dillon Danis?
Early Life and Background
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Dillon Danis was born on August 22, 1993, in Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey.
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He comes from a mixed heritage: his mother is Spanish-Honduran, and his father is Armenian.
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Danis’ martial arts journey began in his teenage years. He started wrestling in high school despite minimal conditioning (“couldn’t do one push-up”) and soon switched to Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
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At 17, he began training more seriously, commuting to Marcelo Garcia’s academy in New York; by 19, he moved to NY to dedicate himself full-time to BJJ.
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He earned his black belt under Marcelo Garcia at around 21.
Grappling Career
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Danis has an extensive grappling record: according to his Wikipedia page, he has participated in around 34 events, with 18 wins and 16 losses.
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Many of his wins come via submission — highlighting his BJJ pedigree.
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He’s also a multi-time tournament winner in no-gi grappling events.
MMA Career
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Danis transitioned to MMA and signed with Bellator.
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His pro record in MMA (before recent controversy) stood at 2-0, with both wins by first-round submission.
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However, he has not yet fought in the UFC, though he is in talks.
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According to recent reports, he’s had discussions with UFC executives.
Boxing & Other Fighting Ventures
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Danis also crossed over into boxing.
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In 2023, he fought Logan Paul, though he was disqualified for attempting an MMA-style submission.
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More recently (2025), Danis returned to MMA under the Misfits banner.
The Islam Makhachev Connection: Why the Feud Runs Deep
History of the Rivalry
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Danis and Islam Makhachev share a complicated history that goes back to the infamous UFC 229 post-fight brawl.
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At UFC 229, Danis was part of Conor McGregor’s corner, and after Khabib Nurmagomedov submitted McGregor, Khabib jumped out of the cage.
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Islam Makhachev, who was in Khabib’s camp, allegedly struck Danis in the back of the head during the chaos.
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Danis has repeatedly expressed that he wants revenge for that night.
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In interviews, Danis said he’d submit Islam “so easily” and claimed that Islam “has never faced a grappler like” him.
Legal and Emotional Undertones
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Danis has publicly claimed that he refused to press charges after UFC 229, suggesting that Islam “should be thanking him” for not bringing legal action.
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He has called Islam derogatory names in public statements, underlining how personal this feud is to him.
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Some of Danis’s comments suggest he sees a future fight with Islam as more than just a match — it’s a closure of a personal storyline.
The UFC 322 Brawl: What Happened
Incident Details
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At UFC 322, held in New York, a major brawl broke out cageside, not inside the cage.
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According to CBS Sports, Danis exchanged words with members of Islam Makhachev’s team, and things escalated quickly.
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Video footage (reported by MMA Fighting) showed Danis and Abubakar Nurmagomedov (Khabib’s cousin) involved in the melee.
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Security and UFC officials, including Hunter Campbell, intervened to try to deescalate.
Motivation Behind the Brawl
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Danis himself has framed the brawl as part of his long-standing feud with Islam: in interviews, he said he wants to “finish the storyline” with Islam.
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He’s openly stated that UFC is wary of him because of his history of starting trouble: “they don’t want to give me security … they think I’m going to start some kind of brawl.”
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Danis speculated that a fight with Islam could be his ticket into the UFC: a “champion vs champion” fight to settle old scores.
Reddit Reaction
Reddit, especially the /r/ufc community, has been abuzz with reactions to the brawl and Danis’s antics. Some notable threads and comments:
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In one thread:
“Dillon Danis brawling with the Dagestanis in the crowd!”
Several users joked that Danis is now “1-0 in his UFC stand fights,” reflecting how chaotic and frequent these scuffles have become. -
Another user asked:
“What is Dillon Danis’ UFC ringside brawl record? Is it now 0-2?”
This underscores how Danis’s reputation as a provocateur extends beyond his fighting record — netizens treat his side-brawls almost like “matches.” -
Going further back, one Redditor recalled the UFC 229 aftermath:
“Islam juiced him bad when another guy was restraining Danis … that’s what happened.”
This comment alludes to the punch to the back of Danis’s head, which is still a major talking point. -
Another thread called out the repeat nature of Danis’s clashes:
“Second time Danis is involved in a fight with the Dagestanis/Khabib’s team … If Dana doesn’t ban him there’s no way …”
These Reddit reactions mirror the polarized public perception: part amusement, part exasperation, and part genuine concern over what Danis’s future holds. Dillon Danis Islam.
Danis’s MMA / UFC Record & Standing
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Pro MMA Record: At the time of his brawls and public calls-out, Danis has a 2–0 professional MMA record, both wins by submission.
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UFC Status: He has not yet fought in the UFC, though he is pushing for a deal.
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Negotiations & Goals: Danis has spoken with UFC’s Hunter Campbell. He frames his ambition in the context of settling his score with Islam Makhachev:
“This is the real … belt. Islam’s not the champ … but Islam will be the champ. And I want … me vs Islam … so I can get my revenge … that’s what I want.”
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Perception by UFC: According to Danis, the UFC treats him warily — they are cautious about his presence because of his brawling history. Dillon Danis Islam.
Why Is This Feud So Big? (Beyond the Spotlight)
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Personal History: The rivalry is not just about fights, it’s deeply personal. Danis sees Islam not just as a fighter, but as someone who wronged him in a very public way.
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Narrative Arc: Danis often frames his journey as a story — from the brawl at UFC 229 to a future cage battle where he “finishes the storyline.”
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Publicity Machine: Danis thrives on controversy. His persona is partly built on stirring the pot — be it on social media, in interviews, or in physical confrontations.
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UFC Entry Point: A fight with Islam would likely be a big draw — for Danis, it’s not just revenge, it’s a strategic way to cement his place in the UFC.
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Fan Reaction: As seen on Reddit and other platforms, fans are polarized. Some root for Danis’s brazen style; others see him as a perpetual agitator who doesn’t take the sport seriously enough.
Controversies Beyond Islam
Danis’s feud with Islam isn’t the only controversy surrounding him:
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UFC 229 Aftermath: After Khabib jumped out of the cage, Danis threw punches. He was fined $7,500 and suspended for 7 months.
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Crypto/NFT Allegations: Danis has been accused of promoting questionable NFT and crypto projects without due diligence.
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Legal Troubles: He has had altercations outside the ring — for instance, a reported arrest in New Jersey.
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Boxing Drama: In his boxing match with Logan Paul, Danis was disqualified for attempting an MMA-style submission.
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Mental Health Struggles: Danis has spoken about a “horror knee injury” that left him bed-ridden, depressed, and questioning his future. Dillon Danis Islam.
What Does the Future Hold?
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UFC Ambitions: Danis continues to push for a UFC contract. He claims conversations are ongoing, and he’s using his high-profile feud with Islam as leverage.
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Potential Fight With Islam: Given his repeated calls for a fight, the possibility of Danis vs. Makhachev remains one of the most talked-about potential matchups — if the UFC agrees.
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Misfits MMA: Danis is active under the Misfits banner and has regained momentum in his MMA career.
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Continued Publicity: Whether via social media, brawls, or interviews, Danis isn’t likely to fade into obscurity — his brand is built on being provocative and polarizing.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1. Did Dillon Danis fight Islam Makhachev inside the UFC?
A: No — as of now, Danis has not fought Islam Makhachev in the UFC. Their conflict is primarily personal and promotional, though Danis has expressed a strong desire to settle things in the cage.
Q2. What record does Dillon Danis have in MMA?
A: Danis has a professional MMA record of 2 wins and 0 losses, both wins via submission.
Q3. Why was Danis involved in a brawl at UFC 322?
A: The brawl at UFC 322 was reportedly between Danis and members of Islam Makhachev’s team. The tension stems from their long-standing feud that began after the UFC 229 post-fight melee.
Q4. What happened at UFC 229 between Danis and Islam’s camp?
A: At UFC 229, after the fight, Khabib Nurmagomedov jumped out of the cage toward Danis (who was part of Conor McGregor’s corner). Islam Makhachev, who was in Khabib’s camp, allegedly struck Danis in the back of the head during the ensuing brawl. Dillon Danis Islam.
Q5. Has Danis signed with the UFC yet?
A: Not officially. Danis says he’s in talks with UFC executives, and claims the door hasn’t been shut.
Q6. What do people on Reddit think about Danis?
A: Reddit’s /r/ufc community is divided. Many mock his repeated brawls, calling them his “matches,” while others see him as a provocateur who delivers high drama. For example:
“Dillon Danis brawling with the Dagestanis in the crowd … second time Danis is involved …”
And about UFC 229:
“Islam juiced him bad … that’s what happened.”
Conclusion
Dillon Danis is more than just a fighter — he is a brand, a provocateur, and a storyteller. His ongoing feud with Islam Makhachev, culminating in dramatic brawls like the one at UFC 322, underscores how deeply personal and public this rivalry has become. Though he hasn’t yet fought in the UFC, Danis’s ambition, controversy, and media presence make him one of the most talked-about figures in combat sports. Whether he eventually settles the score in the cage or continues to play his role outside it, his narrative shows no signs of slowing down.
