Dillon Danis
A Brazilian jiu-jitsu prodigy who crossed into MMA and became equally known for his online provocations and rivalry with Logan Paul.
Born 1993 (age 33)·American mixed martial artist·Birthday: August 22·Millennials
Biography
Dillon Danis first made his name on the mats, not in a cage. A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Marcelo Garcia, he won major grappling tournaments as a young man, which led to a fateful association: he became a training partner and friend of UFC superstar Conor McGregor. This connection catapulted him into the combat sports spotlight. His transition to mixed martial arts was slow and punctuated by injuries, but his fights drew attention for his confident, often brash pre-fight talk. In recent years, his public persona has expanded far beyond fighting. He is a central figure in the streaming collective AMP and ignited a massive social media phenomenon with the 'Fanum tax,' a joking term for taking a friend's food. His 2023 boxing match against YouTube star Logan Paul, though a loss, was a major crossover event, cementing his status as a digital-age combat sports personality.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Dillon was born in 1993, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Dillon Was Born
The biggest hits of 1993
#1 Movie
Jurassic Park
Best Picture
Schindler's List
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Dillon's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1993Born
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1998Started school
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2006Became a teenager
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Could drive
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2011Could vote
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2014Turned 21
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2023Turned 30
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 33 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won multiple Brazilian jiu-jitsu world championships at the colored belt level as a teenager.
- Secured a bronze medal at the 2015 ADCC World Championship, a premier no-gi grappling event.
- Became the Misfits Boxing MMA Light Heavyweight champion in 2023.
- Headlined a major pay-per-view boxing event against Logan Paul in Manchester, England, in October 2023.
Did You Know?
He served as a primary grappling coach for Conor McGregor ahead of McGregor's 2016 fight against Nate Diaz.
His professional MMA debut in 2018 ended in a first-round submission victory via toe hold.
The term 'Fanum tax' he popularized became a widespread internet meme, even referenced by mainstream brands.
He was suspended from Twitter (now X) in 2023 for sharing unauthorized private images.
“I'm here to submit people and make money, that's it.”
