Quick Takeaways:
- Dana White said he picked himself for the UFC 322 brawl.
- Dillon Danis’s presence near the front rows set off major tensions.
- White supposed Danis will never attend another UFC event.
White Accepts Blame After Helter-Skelter Scene
UFC CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Dana White assumes total responsibility for the massive brawl at UFC 322.
The fighting erupted Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. White stated he recognised trouble could start when he got wind that Dillon Danis was in the arena.
Danis’s Presence Immediately Raised Concerns
Danis was seated in the fighter rows instead of his assigned seat. His history of conflict made officials uneasy.
He sparked a fight at UFC 229 in 2018 after Khabib beat Conor McGregor, which led to a suspension.
Past Incidents Added Fuel to Saturday’s Tension
Danis also fought Logan Paul in 2023 and was disqualified for an illegal choke. White said officials asked if he wanted Danis removed from the venue.
He allowed Danis to stay but warned the staff to monitor him closely.
Retired Fighter Threatened Violence
White said a retired UFC fighter threatened to attack Danis “on sight.”That fighter was seated only a few rows away.
White believed the situation was manageable but underestimated the environment.
Crowd Dynamics Escalated the Conflict
White said he did not expect a radical supporting Islam Makhachev to be in the front rows.
Makhachev trains with Khabib Nurmagomedov, who clashed with Danis in 2018. This placed Danis at the center of a volatile crowd dynamic.
Brawl Breaks Out as White Recognizes the Instigator
When the brawl erupted, White immediately knew Danis was involved. Security swarmed the area as chaos unfolded in the lower rows.
White confirmed that Danis will never attend another UFC event.