URGENT UPDATE: Dillon Danis has been permanently banned from attending UFC events following a chaotic brawl at UFC 322 in New York’s Madison Square Garden. UFC president Dana White confirmed the news to reporters just moments after the event, stating, “You will never see Dillon Danis at a UFC fight ever again.”
The incident unfolded on Saturday night during a free-for-all melee involving Danis and teammates of Islam Makhachev. The altercation erupted between the featured prelim bout—won by Bo Nickal via knockout in the third round—and the main card, requiring over a dozen security personnel to intervene.
This explosive confrontation traces its roots to a longstanding rivalry stemming from a 2018 fight, where Makhachev’s training partner, Khabib Nurmagomedov, clashed with Conor McGregor, who was accompanied by Danis at the time. White addressed the ongoing tensions, stating, “I blame myself for that brawl,” revealing that he was informed of Danis’s presence just before the main card started.
White had previously been made aware of a potential conflict when Jorge Masvidal reportedly threatened Danis, saying he would “f–k him up on sight.” In a surprising decision, White allowed Danis to remain in his seat despite the warning, stating, “If the guy has a ticket, let him sit in his seat.” However, the situation quickly escalated.
White later recounted, “As soon as it broke out, I said, ‘F–k, I know exactly what that is.’” Following the brawl, UFC officials considered pressing charges against Danis but ultimately decided against it. “This is the fight business, man,” White stated. “You know how I feel about this s–t. I could have prevented this tonight.”
Danis, who has long desired a career in the UFC, had previously laid out his ambitions in an exclusive interview. He discussed his plans with UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell and expressed confidence in his abilities against current fighters, stating, “I would run through like Daniel Rodriguez.”
However, his aspirations now face uncertainty as he has been sidelined from UFC events indefinitely. Danis is still scheduled to fight Anthony Taylor on December 20 in a regional promotion called “Misfits,” but this latest ban could severely impact his future in mixed martial arts.
The repercussions of this incident extend beyond Danis, as it underscores the ongoing volatility within the sport. Fans and fighters alike are left to ponder the future of a competitor who has been embroiled in controversy throughout his career. The UFC’s swift action demonstrates its commitment to maintaining order and discipline in the sport, leaving many to wonder if Danis’s career will ever recover from this decisive blow.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
