UFC 322 delivered a historic main event, with Islam Makhachev defeating Jack Della Maddalena to become a two division champion and secure the welterweight title.
The performance reinforced his status among the organisation’s elite. However, the spectacle was overshadowed by a viral brawl involving Dillon Danis, prompting UFC CEO Dana White to issue a lifetime ban.
According to The Playoffs, the incident unfolded moments before the main card when Danis clashed with two members of Makhachev’s team, Abubakar Nurmagomedov and Magomed Zaynukov.
Videos widely shared online show punches being exchanged as security scrambled to separate the groups. The confrontation is understood to have been fuelled by Danis’ social media comments earlier in the week, which reignited long standing tensions dating back to UFC 229.
UFC CEO Dana White told reporters there would be no criminal charges but confirmed that Danis is barred indefinitely from all UFC events.
White said Danis had been warned but was allowed to remain in seats reserved for fighters.
He said retired fighter Jorge Masvidal had threatened Danis earlier in the evening, yet the organisation did not remove him before the brawl began.
White acknowledged that seating arrangements contributed to the confrontation, noting that the front rows were filled with fighters linked to Khabib Nurmagomedov’s team.
When tensions escalated, security intervened and removed Danis from the venue.
While the altercation dominated online conversation, the main event saw Makhachev control Maddalena with sustained grappling pressure and striking accuracy across five rounds.
He won by unanimous decision, becoming only the tenth fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two divisions. Observers noted his superior pace, takedowns and defensive awareness throughout the fight.
The UFC has not indicated whether further security protocols will be introduced for future events, but White said the organisation will review how Danis gained access to fighter designated seating despite holding a standard ticket.
Danis has not issued a formal response to the ban.
