Dillon Danis has officially been banned from UFC events. UFC president Dana White confirmed the news to the press following UFC 322, marking a significant turn of events for the controversial MMA fighter.
“You’ll never see Dillon Danis in a UFC fight again,” White stated, referring to a chaotic brawl that erupted between Danis and teammate Islam Makhachev, which required a dozen security personnel to break up.
This brawl kicked off before the main card of the event, immediately after a notable prelim match where Bo Nickal scored a knockout in round three.
The roots of this conflict trace back to a 2018 fight that involved Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev’s training partner, and Conor McGregor, who was training alongside Danis. Following Danis’s fourth-round submission victory over McGregor, he faced an onslaught from Nurmagomedov, igniting a melee that spilled into the stands.
White took some responsibility for the situation. He shared, “They informed me that right before I left for the main card, Danis was wandering around, not sitting where he should have been.” He had a valid ticket, but as tensions rose—especially with former UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal threatening to confront him—White thought it best to keep an eye on the situation.
However, Danis ultimately ended up clashing with Makhachev’s team. White noted that he didn’t initially grasp how precarious the atmosphere was with so many Muslim fans in attendance.
Post-fight, White indicated that the UFC could pursue charges against Danis. “I got a call asking if we wanted to press charges or have him arrested,” he recounted. “But I chose not to. This could have all been avoided,” he added, reflecting on a night filled with tension.
Danis has long harbored ambitions of joining the UFC and had previously detailed his plans in an interview. He also mentioned discussions with UFC’s Chief Business Officer, Hunter Campbell, emphasizing the importance of staying active in the fight scene.
In his August interview, he shared, “Honestly, I don’t think the 170-pound division is strong,” citing various fighters he believes he could easily overcome. Despite his plans, including a fight against Anthony Taylor set for December 20 within a regional promotion, his prospects in the UFC now seem increasingly uncertain.
