UFC Chief Issues Lifetime Ban Following Violent Altercation
UFC president Dana White has declared that controversial fighter Dillon Danis will never again be permitted to attend a UFC event following a shocking ringside brawl that erupted at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night. The explosive incident occurred during UFC 322 and involved multiple members of Islam Makhachev's fighting team.
Social media footage captured the moment tensions boiled over between Danis and Makhachev's camp, leading to an all-out physical confrontation that sent shockwaves through the prestigious New York venue. The violent exchange took place alarmingly close to the seats occupied by Jack Della Madellena's wife Michelle and mother Sonya, who were caught in the dangerous crossfire.
Chaos Erupts Cageside
Video evidence clearly shows UFC fighter Magomed Zaynukov landing powerful blows to the side of Danis's head as the latter appeared to be attempting to de-escalate a separate scuffle happening nearby. Despite intervention from police and security personnel, the terrifying scenes continued for nearly five minutes as members from both camps repeatedly charged at one another.
The situation only calmed when Danis and several members of Makhachev's team were forcibly escorted away from the octagon and taken backstage by security. The timing and location of the brawl - at one of combat sports' most hallowed venues - added significant embarrassment to the organisation.
White addressed the incident during a post-fight press conference, leaving no room for ambiguity about Danis's future involvement with the promotion. "You will never see Dillon Danis at a UFC fight ever again," White stated emphatically.
White Takes Responsibility
Interestingly, the UFC boss revealed that security had approached him earlier in the evening about Danis's behaviour. "They came back and told me right before I walked out for the main card that Dillon Danis was here and he was moving around, sitting in fighters' seats and not sitting in his own seat," White explained.
Despite having the opportunity to remove Danis at that point, White admitted he'd authorised his continued presence since he possessed a valid ticket. "I could have prevented this tonight," White conceded, showing rare self-criticism. "It never even crossed my mind, as stupid as that could be, that the entire Muslim brotherhood was here tonight in the first five rows for Islam."
The UFC organisation has decided against pressing charges, with White characterising the incident as part of "the fight business." However, his decision to issue a permanent ban signals a firm stance against such disruptive behaviour at future events.
Historical Bad Blood
This incident appears rooted in long-standing animosity dating back to the infamous post-fight melee following Khabib Nurmagomedov's victory over Conor McGregor. Danis, who was a core member of McGregor's team at the time, clashed violently with Khabib's crew in an incident that went viral.
Just last month, Danis claimed on the MightyCast podcast that Makhachev "punched me in the head seven times" during that previous confrontation. He described the attack as particularly unusual, saying, "He jumped in such a weird way where he jumped with his feet and hands. I was like, am I getting drop-kicked right now?"
Danis also alleged that members of Makhachev's team had been verbally provoking him throughout the evening, suggesting the Madison Square Garden brawl was the culmination of building tensions rather than a spontaneous eruption.
The permanent exclusion of Danis from UFC events represents one of the strongest disciplinary actions taken by White in recent memory and sends a clear message that such behaviour won't be tolerated, regardless of historical context or personal rivalries.
