Early Life and Introduction to Grappling
Dillon Danis was born on August 22, 1993, and raised in Parsippany–Troy Hills, New Jersey. While attending Parsippany Hills High School, he began wrestling as a freshman—despite initially acknowledging that he "couldn't do one push-up." At age 15, following an altercation at school, he turned to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for self-defense. He began training at a local academy under Jaime Cruz and supplemented his development by competing in wrestling under coach Jason Lodato.
Advancement and Grappling Success
By age 17, Danis was making trips to train at Marcelo Garcia’s academy in New York, and by 19 he had relocated there full time to pursue a professional career in BJJ. His dedication was rewarded when, at age 21, he earned his black belt and accrued notable achievements in high-level tournaments. He claimed titles at prestigious events such as the IBJJF Pan No-Gi Championship, the IBJJF New York Spring Open, the IBJJF Boca Raton Open, and the UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro, quickly cementing his reputation as a top grappler.
Transition to Combat Sports and Boxing Debut
Danis entered the broader combat sports spotlight in 2016 when he joined Conor McGregor’s camp as a grappling coach and training partner, contributing to preparations for McGregor’s UFC bouts. He later transitioned to professional MMA, signing with Bellator MMA and debuting in 2018 with a first-round submission win, followed by another submission victory in 2019. In 2023, he made his professional boxing debut in a crossover bout, marking the latest evolution in his career from grappling prodigy to multi-disciplinary combat athlete.