Nina Marie Daniele — famously known as Nina Drama — has become one of MMA media’s most recognizable personalities. Her clever interviewing style, playful banter with fighters, and expressive online persona have made her a standout in the UFC world. A recent emotional tribute she posted for Jon Jones, where she credited him with helping reshape her career from comedy sketches to MMA coverage, only amplified her rise.
Alongside that heartfelt message, fans have also been talking about her uncanny look-alike — a Dominican MMA reporter spotted at DFC 13 — keeping Nina at the center of online buzz. But as her popularity surges, one question continues to capture fans’ curiosity: Who is Nina Drama dating? And is she married?
At the heart of Nina’s journey is her long-time partner, Jhanelle Castillo, whose constant support has accompanied every milestone she’s reached. Below is a full look at Nina and Jhanelle’s 15-year relationship, how they met, and why their bond remains one of the most admired partnerships in MMA media.
Who Is Nina Drama’s Boyfriend?
Jhanelle Castillo, born June 7, 1985, in San Diego, California, is Nina’s partner of over a decade and a half. Their relationship began on June 11, 2010, marking 15 years together as of 2025. Now 38 years old, Jhanelle works as a creative director, model, and photographer, building an impressive career in fashion.
Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 174 pounds, he has collaborated with major brands like Hudson Jeans, Cole Haan, and Skechers, and maintains a polished portfolio through his 36k-strong Instagram audience.
His estimated net worth — around $220,000 — comes from years of modeling work and creative projects. But his impact on Nina goes far beyond career numbers. When Nina considered joining the military after college, Jhanelle was the one who encouraged her to try modeling instead — a decision that led to her 2018 Playboy recognition and eventually her viral MMA content.
Their bond has often been described as “ride or die,” defined by shared ambition, creativity, and loyalty.
Is Nina Drama Married? Separating Facts From Rumors
Despite a long relationship, Nina and Jhanelle are not married, nor are they secretly engaged.
Fans often speculate due to their longevity, but Nina has never publicly confirmed taking that step.
Jhanelle has even joked about it online, hinting playfully that Nina wants him to finish paying his college loans before they talk weddings or kids. Their relationship thrives without the formality of marriage, reflecting a mutual comfort in simply being together.
Who Is Nina Drama?
Born December 27, 1988, in Los Angeles, Nina Marie Daniele is now 36 years old and one of the most influential MMA content creators today. She is a model, actress, comedian, and digital creator who transitioned from viral comedy and glamour modeling into full-time UFC and Power Slap coverage.
Her social media footprint is massive:
- 1.5 million followers on Instagram
- 3.6 million followers on TikTok
Her “Nina Drama” persona blends humor, boldness, and unpredictability. She has interviewed top fighters like Sean Strickland, Alex Pereira, Dricus Du Plessis, Carlos Prates, and Aaron Pico, often creating viral moments in the MMA community.
Her heritage is predominantly Italian through her mother, while rumors about Brazilian ancestry on her father’s side remain unconfirmed. With a background in creative writing, she originally explored acting and poetry before shifting into entertainment and MMA.
Her net worth — estimated between $800k and $1.5M — comes from modeling, partnerships, social media, and UFC-related work.
How Their Love Story Began
Nina and Jhanelle’s romance started in 2010, and since then they’ve celebrated numerous milestones together. Jhanelle’s 2018 anniversary post called Nina his “soulmate” and “best friend,” while their 12-year anniversary in 2022 highlighted the strength and longevity of their relationship.
Though neither marriage nor engagement is on the table just yet, their playful communication about it shows a relationship filled with humor and mutual understanding. They’ve even collaborated professionally — notably on a 2016 Hudson Jeans campaign — showcasing their chemistry both in front of the camera and behind it.
Are Nina and Jhanelle Still Together?
Yes — they are still together and thriving.
Rumors of a breakup occasionally circulate because they don’t post about each other frequently, especially between 2019 and 2022. But Nina quietly dispelled that speculation by including Jhanelle in a January 2023 comedy skit.
Jhanelle’s long social-media breaks have also sparked concern, but those pauses are simply part of his personal digital habits. The couple has lived together in Los Angeles since 2018 and shares five rescue dogs, affectionately referred to as their “fur kids.”
Their small everyday gestures — such as Jhanelle posting about washing dishes to make Nina smile — reflect the warmth and teamwork that define their household.
Inside Their Home Life
Their Los Angeles apartment is both their creative hub and a sanctuary from the pressures of public life. Nina’s TikTok reveals their shared workspace equipped with professional photography gear, interview props, and MMA memorabilia — including a signed Dricus Du Plessis glove.
Jhanelle handles most of the dog-care responsibilities, allowing Nina more time to prepare for UFC interviews, develop her TikTok skits, and plan her YouTube content.
Their home life blends artistic collaboration with small domestic routines — from cooking vegan tacos to brainstorming interview questions — painting a picture of a couple deeply in sync.
Managing Fame While Protecting Their Relationship
As Nina’s fame skyrockets, she and Jhanelle have built intentional boundaries. In an MMA Junkie podcast, Nina revealed that Jhanelle often reminds her not to overshare personal details on Instagram or TikTok. These boundaries help shield their relationship from online speculation.
Despite posting fewer couple photos, their offline connection remains strong. Nina continues to thrive publicly partly because she has a stable partner rooting for her behind the scenes.
Nina’s Path From Writing Student to MMA Personality
Raised in Los Angeles, Nina originally planned to pursue writing or enlist in the military after completing her degree in creative writing. But everything changed when Jhanelle encouraged her to explore modeling.
Her early success in Playboy eventually blended into comedic TikTok content, which then opened doors into the MMA world — where her creativity found its perfect environment. Her 5’9” athletic frame and vibrant personality helped her stand out, but it was her clever interview style that cemented her UFC popularity.
How Jhanelle Influences Nina’s Career
Jhanelle has been a quiet force behind many of Nina’s big steps:
- He motivated her to audition for Sports Illustrated in 2017.
- He supported her transition to MMA content during the pandemic era.
- His creative direction helped elevate her photoshoots and videos.
- He frequently re-shares her major interviews, showing public support.
Nina has often acknowledged that his belief in her talent helped shape her career.
Nina’s Business Expansion in 2025
In 2025, Nina launched a fitness apparel collaboration with Reebok, featuring MMA-inspired hoodies, leggings, and “Dragon Energy” slogans — a nod to her viral Du Plessis interview.
The collection sold 5,000 units in the first week.
Jhanelle photographed the marketing campaign, mirroring the creative partnership they’ve shared since their early days modeling together.
She also teased an upcoming launch of branded resistance bands, signaling her gradual progression from influencer to entrepreneur.
Viral UFC Interviews Fueling Her Rise
Nina’s recent viral interviews include:
- Dricus Du Plessis — 223k views
- Carlos Prates — 54k views
- Aaron Pico — 32k views
- Du Plessis training camp skit — 223k views
Jhanelle often reposts her work, celebrating her success with captions like “Nina’s on fire.”
Professional Friendships & Rumor Control
Nina’s flirtatious humor has sparked countless rumors linking her to fighters, but these claims are baseless:
- Sean Strickland sees her as “like family.”
- Jon Jones has praised her relationship with Jhanelle.
- Merab Dvalishvili is a close friend and collaborator, nothing more.
Travel content with fighters often sparks speculation, but Nina consistently reinforces her true loyalty to Jhanelle.
A Humorous Approach to Social Media Scrutiny
When fans misunderstand her playful interview style, Nina and Jhanelle confront the drama with humor. Their comedic responses to rumors — including sketches about fake breakups — keep them grounded and fans entertained.
Addressing the Viral Doppelgänger Moment
The DFC 13 “Nina look-alike” moment had social media buzzing, but Nina addressed it lightheartedly, sharing a story laughing about the resemblance. Jhanelle playfully reposted her content with the caption, “There’s only one Nina Drama.”
Shared Fitness Lifestyle
Nina and Jhanelle share a passion for wellness, working out together and maintaining vegan eating habits. Their workout videos and recipe posts often go viral, showing fans a glimpse of their daily routine outside MMA media.
Growing Presence Across Platforms
Nina has expanded onto Twitch, hosting Q&As and behind-the-scenes streams. Jhanelle manages the tech setup, reinforcing their seamless partnership.
She also continues to grow on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, branching into interviews, skits, livestreams, and documentary-style videos.
Giving Back Through Community Work
Nina and Jhanelle host workshops for teens in Los Angeles, teaching storytelling, creativity, and media skills. Their work with local youth — alongside their rescue-pet advocacy — showcases the compassionate side of their relationship.
Cultural Background
Nina identifies primarily as Italian-American through her mother. Speculation about Brazilian heritage remains unverified, and she publicly identifies as Caucasian.
What’s Ahead for Nina and Jhanelle?
Marriage isn’t their priority right now. Instead, they’re focusing on career growth, creative projects, and new ventures. Nina’s momentum in MMA media continues to climb, and Jhanelle remains an essential pillar of support behind her.
Conclusion
Nina Drama’s meteoric rise in MMA media is intertwined with her remarkable 15-year relationship with Jhanelle Castillo. From encouraging her first modeling audition to supporting her transition into UFC interviews, Jhanelle has played a pivotal role in Nina’s success.
Though not married, their bond remains strong — built on humor, creativity, and unwavering support. As Nina continues to push boundaries in the MMA world, Jhanelle’s presence remains her steady anchor, making their partnership one of the most inspiring love stories in the combat-sports community.