UFC 322 Sees Major Brawl Before Pay-Per-View Event

NEW YORK CITY, NY — A massive brawl erupted at Madison Square Garden just before the main card of UFC 322 on Saturday night, involving prominent fighters Dillon Danis and members of Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s team. The chaotic scene unfolded as commentators Jon Anik, Joe Rogan, and Daniel Cormier began their opening remarks along with the song ‘Baba O’Riley’ by The Who.

What ignited the altercation remains unclear, but it quickly escalated, drawing in security personnel and police officers. Footage from the event shows bodies tumbling into the press row as UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell arrived on the scene to help defuse the situation.

Danis, who has not fought in the UFC, has become notorious for his involvement in disputes surrounding the organization. His latest skirmish involved ex-UFC fighter Abubakar Nurmagomedov and Magomed Zaynukov, also known as John Pork, among others. The confrontation erupted moments before fighters Benoit Saint Denis and Beneil Dariush were set to walk to the octagon.

Despite the melee, many onlookers noted the striking backdrop of The Who’s music, creating a surreal atmosphere during the event. While security worked to separate the fighters, Danis appeared to be engaged heavily with team members from Islam Makhachev’s camp, with Zaynukov reportedly landing some punches.

This latest incident adds to Danis’ controversial legacy in mixed martial arts, which includes a previous infamous brawl at UFC 229 when Khabib Nurmagomedov leaped over the cage to confront Danis after defeating Conor McGregor in 2018. The fallout from this new encounter could potentially hinder Danis’s chances of joining the UFC roster, which he has expressed interest in.

MMA Junkie will provide updates as more details about the skirmish emerge.