Dillon Danis’ already tense relationship with the UFC has taken a dramatic turn after a chaotic altercation at UFC 322 led to his immediate removal from Madison Square Garden — and a lifetime ban from attending any UFC event.
The incident erupted shortly before the main card on Saturday night, when Danis became involved in a violent skirmish near the cage involving members of Islam Makhachev’s team. Video footage circulating online shows punches thrown in multiple directions as security scrambled to intervene.
UFC President Dana White, speaking at the post-fight press conference, didn’t hold back his frustration.
> “I was on the other side of the Octagon and said, ‘F—, I know exactly what this is,’” White recalled. “You will never see Dillon Danis at a UFC fight ever again.”
How the brawl started
According to multiple eyewitnesses and UFC officials, the situation began when Danis — who was not invited by the promotion and had purchased his own ticket — started moving around to different seats at cageside. The shifting drew attention and ultimately escalated into a heated confrontation with Makhachev’s entourage.
During the melee, Danis appeared to take several shots to the back of the head — reportedly thrown by Magomed Zaynukov — before UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell and security personnel pulled the groups apart.
Danis was subsequently escorted out of the arena.
Dana White: “Lifetime ban. Done.”
White made it clear that Saturday was the final straw in a long-running saga of disciplinary issues and backstage tensions involving Danis.
> “Dillon Danis will never be at a UFC event ever again,” White emphasized. “This is a lifetime ban — among a lot of other things he starts.”
White also revealed that earlier in the night, Jorge Masvidal had confronted Danis, threatening to fight him — another sign that tensions around Danis were already bubbling. White admitted he should have stepped in sooner, given the history between Danis and Makhachev’s team.
Danis’ recent fighting career
Danis has been making waves outside the UFC, recently capturing the inaugural Misfits MMA title with a 15-second submission win over Warren Spencer in August. He is scheduled to defend that title soon — but any thoughts fans had of him eventually stepping into the UFC have now been completely shut down.
When asked if Danis would ever fight under the UFC banner, White didn’t hesitate:
> “No. Not happening.”
What’s next?
The brawl is the latest chapter in Danis’ turbulent combat sports journey, and while he remains a polarizing figure in MMA and influencer boxing, his future with the world’s biggest MMA promotion is officially over.
For now, Danis will continue competing outside the UFC — but his presence at its events is permanently barred.