In a dramatic turn of events, Dana White on Dillon Danis has officially confirmed that Danis will never be permitted to attend any future UFC events, following his involvement in a chaotic sideline brawl at UFC 322 on November 15, 2025.
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Incident Overview
During UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, Danis, a former training partner of Conor McGregor, was seated remotely from the octagon when a brawl erupted involving Danis and members of the team for champion Islam Makhachev. He reportedly purchased a ticket but began moving around fighter-adjacent seats and allegedly breached seating protocols, which triggered warnings from security and other personnel.
Danis’ actions culminated in a physical exchange with members of Makhachev’s camp including Abubakar Nurmagomedov and Magomed Zaynukov. The melee was substantial enough to cause a delay to the main card and required significant security intervention.
Dana White’s Statement and Decision
At the post-fight press conference, Dana White did not mince words. He declared:
“You will never see Dillon Danis at a UFC fight ever again.”
White also took ownership of the oversight, admitting that the promotion had been informed of Danis’ presence and suspicious behavior but allowed it to proceed. He said:
“I blame myself for that actually … They came back and told me … he’s moving around … sitting in other fighters’ seats …”
He emphasised that the decision to ban Danis was driven not simply by the incident itself, but by a pattern of behaviour and risk assessment.
Although the UFC opted not to press criminal charges against Danis, White noted that the organisation was done with him as a guest or participant in any capacity.
Context and Background
Danis, age 32, had been seeking to join the UFC roster for some time. Two months ago, he claimed that White had never explicitly said “no” to signing him. However, those prior discussions now appear moot given the recent ban.
The tension stems from a long-standing feud between the camps of McGregor and Makhachev (and earlier, McGregor and Nurmagomedov) that dates back to UFC 229 and other incidents. Danis’ presence at UFC 322 and his movement through fighter areas likely raised red flags given that context.
Key Points at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event | UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden, Nov 15 2025 |
| Involved | Dillon Danis; Islam Makhachev’s team; UFC security & officials |
| Behaviour | Danis seated in fighter-adjacent area, moved around, engaged in brawl |
| Decision | Dana White permanently bans Danis from UFC events |
| Charges | UFC will not press criminal charges, though outside authorities may act |
| Significance | Door to UFC for Danis appears closed indefinitely |
Implications
- For Danis, this marks a dramatic setback: his hopes of stepping into the UFC octagon now face a permanent barrier.
- For the UFC, the strong message serves as a reminder of the organisation’s commitment to safety, order, and controlling its event environment.
- For fighters and guests, this incident underscores how even non-competing individuals can influence the tone and outcome of live events.
What Happens Next
With Danis banned from UFC events, his path forward will likely target other promotions or crossover offerings. For the UFC’s part, expect tighter security protocols, more rigorous guest-screening, and perhaps stricter banning of non-competitor personnel sitting in or near fighter zones.
Closing thoughts: The decision by Dana White on Dillon Danis draws a firm line: attendance at UFC events isn’t a right—it’s a privilege contingent on conduct. The ban doesn’t just reflect one incident; it reflects the accumulation of risk and behaviour.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this development—drop a comment below and stay tuned for any further updates.