The chaos from UFC 322 is far from over, and Dillon Danis remains at the center of it all. What started as a historic night for Islam Makhachev quickly turned into a legal storm that’s now gaining real momentum.
Makhachev secured a dominant win over Jack Della Maddalena on November 22, but outside the cage, another fight was unfolding. Danis, never far from controversy, got involved in a massive brawl inside Madison Square Garden, forcing security to escort multiple people out of the arena.
Even though Dana White made it clear the UFC wouldn’t press charges, New York City leadership isn’t letting the situation slide.
During his post-fight press conference, White announced that Danis is banned from attending any future UFC event after the melee.
One of the most viral faces from the incident was Magomed Zaynukov, better known online as “John Pork”, who threw punches at Danis in the footage. Zaynukov made it clear he doesn’t regret it, insisting Danis deserved worse for the things he’s said publicly.
However, now the consequences have shifted. Zaynukov, who earned his UFC contract in October, could face serious travel and career setbacks if legal action escalates.
New York City mayor Eric Adams has already taken a firm stance, posting footage of the brawl and writing:
“These assaults at Madison Square Garden are completely unacceptable,” Adams wrote. “The NYPD is already conducting a full investigation, and everyone responsible will be held accountable.”
The mayor isn’t bluffing. The NYPD is actively investigating the fighters and team members involved, including Danis, whose loud social-media feuds with Makhachev’s camp made the confrontation almost inevitable.
Danis and several members of Makhachev’s team were removed from the venue immediately after the fight broke out. Any hope of Danis signing with the UFC is gone, White made that clear, and now the welterweight troublemaker faces a bigger issue: potential legal fallout.
Even though not everyone involved in the footage is an active UFC fighter, the NYPD investigation won’t stop at organizational lines. Adams’ term ends in January, and he appears determined to make an example of the situation before leaving office.
White later clarified that Danis wasn’t invited to the event and paid for his own ticket, which the UFC says helped fuel the oversight that allowed him to be seated cageside.
Danis, a longtime friend and training partner of Conor McGregor, is 3-0 in MMA and recently earned a first-round submission in Misfits. He’s scheduled to return on December 22 against Anthony Taylor, but now, even that fight is in doubt depending on how the NYPD proceeds.
