The question what did Dillon Danis say to Khabib has remained one of the most debated topics in modern MMA history. The moment happened in seconds, but it created years of controversy, speculation, and analysis. UFC 229 already carried massive tension because of the rivalry between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor. Yet the event’s most explosive moment came after the fight—when Khabib leapt out of the cage toward McGregor’s teammate Dillon Danis.
To this day, fans continue searching for the exact words Danis used to provoke Khabib. While no broadcast audio captured the full sentence, multiple on-camera angles, public statements, and the fighters’ own comments provide enough verified information to explain what happened and why the question still dominates online searches.
This long-form article gives a clear, factual, expanded breakdown of everything that is publicly known, while staying entirely focused on the keyword what did Dillon Danis say to Khabib.
The Build-Up: Why Words Mattered So Much That Night
UFC 229 wasn’t a typical fight. It was the peak of one of the most personal rivalries the UFC had ever seen. The months leading up to the event included trash talk about nationality, religion, family, and culture. Conor McGregor attacked nearly every aspect of Khabib’s identity while promoting the fight.
Because Khabib rarely engaged in such theatrics, the pressure built quietly until fight night arrived. Tension during the main event was extremely visible. Every staredown, every scramble, every transition carried emotional weight—far beyond the belt itself.
By the time Khabib submitted McGregor in the fourth round, the intensity had reached a boiling point. The fight ending did not resolve the animosity. Instead, the real explosion occurred seconds later, drawing Dillon Danis into the center of the drama.
The Exact Moment: Khabib Turns Toward Danis
Immediately after McGregor tapped to the rear-naked choke, Khabib stood over him briefly, shouted in his direction, then turned sharply toward McGregor’s corner. Sitting right there was Dillon Danis, McGregor’s jiu-jitsu coach and close training partner.
In those moments, footage shows Danis yelling toward the cage. His gestures appeared animated, and Khabib’s body language changed instantly. He threw his mouthpiece, pointed at Danis, shouted something back, then sprinted across the Octagon.
This chain of movements was fast, direct, and emotionally charged—which is why fans continue asking what did Dillon Danis say to Khabib that sent a normally composed champion into the crowd.
What Danis Has Admitted Saying
Over the years, Dillon Danis has given several accounts of what he said that night. In all versions, he acknowledges that he:
- Used profanity
- Taunted Khabib
- Challenged him verbally after the win
- Motioned him to “come here” with his hands
Danis has described it as typical competitive trash talk—explicit, but in his view, not hateful. His explanation has stayed consistent: he claims he yelled something along the lines of a provocative command such as “come here” paired with profanity.
This version aligns with the visible footage where Danis appears to gesture toward Khabib with both hands, signaling for him to step toward the floor seats.
What Danis Denies Saying
Part of the lasting controversy comes from a widely repeated allegation that Danis used a derogatory religious slur referencing Khabib’s faith. This claim has circulated for years, but Danis has repeatedly and firmly denied ever saying anything about:
- Islam
- Muslims
- Khabib’s faith
- Khabib’s cultural background
He has emphasized in numerous interviews that he would not insult a religion. He also denies directing any hate-based language at Khabib.
This denial remains a critical part of the factual record, because nothing in verified audio or official documentation confirms that such a slur was spoken.
What Khabib Has Said About the Exchange
Khabib Nurmagomedov has addressed the post-fight moment many times, though he has never quoted Danis word for word. Instead, he has focused on the broader disrespect he felt from McGregor’s team throughout the rivalry.
Khabib has said that:
- Danis yelled at him after the submission
- He felt Danis disrespected him
- The buildup to the fight already pushed boundaries
- He reacted emotionally in the heat of the moment
For Khabib, the confrontation with Danis was not an isolated insult. It was the final trigger in a long chain of personal attacks he endured throughout the rivalry.
Why the Exact Sentence Has Never Been Verified
The most important factual detail is this:
No camera or microphone captured Dillon Danis’ exact words on audio.
The UFC broadcast audio does not pick up his voice clearly. The crowd noise was extremely loud. And cage-side microphones were positioned toward the Octagon, not the seats.
As a result:
- No official transcript exists
- No commission report includes a quote
- No video provides clean audio
- The fighters’ own accounts remain the only direct sources
This is why the key phrase what did Dillon Danis say to Khabib continues to be heavily searched—because one definitive sentence has never been confirmed on record.
What the Nevada Commission Focused On
After UFC 229, the Nevada State Athletic Commission issued fines and suspensions for individuals involved in the brawl. However, their findings centered on:
- The physical altercation outside the cage
- The involvement of team members
- The breakdown of security during the melee
The commission did not document any specific quote or verbal trigger from Danis. This omission reinforces the point that no official body validated the exact wording of the exchange.
Why Danis Became a Central Figure in the Aftermath
Although McGregor and Khabib were the main rivals, Dillon Danis became a central figure because:
- He was directly involved in the post-fight chaos
- He had been a vocal supporter of McGregor
- His animated reactions during the fight were visible on camera
- His role as a provocateur made him an easy target of public speculation
Danis’ outspoken persona amplified public interest. His later controversies in combat sports, media appearances, and online feuds only kept the question alive.
How the Incident Has Affected Their Public Images
The moment did long-term damage—and in some ways long-term reinforcement—to both men’s public images:
For Khabib:
- It showed a rare moment of lost composure
- Some fans saw it as justified retaliation
- Others viewed it as uncharacteristic behavior from a disciplined athlete
For Danis:
- It cemented his reputation as chaotic and confrontational
- It tied his name permanently to a historic MMA event
- It followed him into future promotions and public appearances
Their reputations have remained intertwined ever since, boosting ongoing interest in what did Dillon Danis say to Khabib.
The Most Accurate Full Answer Based on Verified Facts
After reviewing every publicly confirmed detail, the clearest factual conclusion is:
- Dillon Danis yelled a profanity-filled taunt at Khabib immediately after the fight.
- The exchange involved aggressive gestures and explicit language.
- A widely circulated allegation of a religious slur exists, but has never been verified.
- Danis strongly denies using any hate-based wording.
- No audio recording confirms the exact sentence.
- Khabib reacted because he felt disrespected in the moment and throughout the rivalry.
This remains the most complete, accurate summary of the exchange—without speculation.
If you have your own interpretation of the moment or want to discuss the lasting impact of UFC 229, feel free to share your thoughts below.