Max Hanson

Maximilian John Anthony Hanson was born on April 22, 1998, in Canada, and committed himself to competitive sports from an early age. Beginning at age 7, he dedicated nearly a decade to football, competing at a serious level through his mid-teens. That prolonged experience in a demanding team sport forged the athleticism, discipline, and competitive instincts that would later translate powerfully onto the grappling mats.

At 15, Hanson made his first contact with jiu-jitsu, beginning his training under Eric Marentette at Tecumseh Jiu-Jitsu Ribeiro. Rather than narrowing his focus, he expanded his competitive portfolio by incorporating mixed martial arts alongside his jiu-jitsu development — a reflection of the well-rounded athletic mindset his football background had helped instill.

Building the Foundation

Hanson's early jiu-jitsu career took shape under Eric Marentette at Tecumseh Jiu-Jitsu Ribeiro, where he built the technical foundation that would carry him through the ranks. During this period, he also pursued MMA with enough conviction to compete in two professional bouts, gaining valuable experience performing under high-pressure conditions.

A Defining Pivot

The pivotal moment in Hanson's development came in 2019, when — as a purple belt — he made a deliberate decision to redirect his focus almost exclusively toward no-gi jiu-jitsu and submission grappling. That choice brought him into the orbit of Dante Leon, one of Canada's most accomplished grapplers, and led Hanson to train at Adamas Jiu-Jitsu Academy. The partnership with Leon proved transformative, accelerating Hanson's growth as a no-gi specialist and exposing him to a higher level of technical and competitive rigor.

Complementing his work with Leon, Hanson trained extensively with Heath Pedigo at Pedigo Submission Fighting, the Illinois-based team with which Leon maintained a close connection. That affiliation gave Hanson consistent access to one of the most competitive training environments in North American no-gi grappling, sharpening his game ahead of his black belt career.

Earning the Black Belt

As a brown belt in 2022, Hanson validated his rapid progression by earning bronze medals at the IBJJF World No-Gi Championship and the IBJJF Pan No-Gi Championship — results that signaled his readiness for the sport's top tier. On December 24, 2022, Dante Leon promoted Hanson to black belt, formally recognizing his development into an elite-level grappler.

Establishing Elite Status

Since earning his black belt, Hanson has established himself as one of the most formidable young competitors in the North American no-gi circuit, representing Adamas Jiu-Jitsu Academy and Pedigo Submission Fighting in the Peso Leve division (76 kg / 168 lbs). His performances across both major institutional tournaments and the growing invitational circuit have consistently demonstrated why he ranks among the sport's top prospects at his weight.

Invitational Dominance

In 2023, Hanson swept the Midwest Finishers Invitational at both the 155 lb and 170 lb brackets and claimed gold at the Sapateiro Invitational at 155 lb and the Enigma Invitational at 170 lb — a volume of results that reflected his versatility across weight classes and his capacity to perform against elite opposition. He carried that momentum into 2024, adding another Sapateiro Invitational title at 170 lb, a runner-up finish at 165 lb, and gold at the Enigma Invitational at 185 lb, demonstrating continued growth and adaptability.

Institutional Breakthroughs

Hanson's 2024 IBJJF season delivered a decisive statement at the institutional level. He captured gold at the 2024 IBJJF Pan No-Gi Championship and the 2024 IBJJF American Nationals No-Gi, cementing his status as one of the elite black belt competitors in the Peso Leve division. Those results — achieved in the early stages of his black belt career — underscore the trajectory of a competitor whose blend of athleticism, technical depth, and championship experience under Dante Leon positions him as a significant force in North American grappling.