When Islam Makhachev stepped out of the Octagon after defending his UFC Lightweight Championship against Renato Moicano at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2025, he didn’t just celebrate a win—he issued a warning. Moments earlier, chaos had erupted just before the main card: a screaming, shoving match between Dillon Danis, the polarizing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach, and a group of Team Khabib Nurmagomedov members. Security yelled, "Heat! Heat!" as fists flew. By 8:37 PM UTC, the scene was under control—but the fallout had just begun.
Seven Years After UFC 229, History Repeated Itself
The brawl at Madison Square Garden wasn’t random. It was a replay of the most infamous moment in modern MMA history: the UFC 229 Las Vegas melee, where Khabib Nurmagomedov leapt the cage to attack Conor McGregor’s corner. Back then, Khabib got a nine-month suspension and a half-million-dollar fine. Danis? He was the one who threw the water bottle that night. Now, seven years, one month, and ten days later, he was back in the crosshairs—this time, not as a spectator, but as the instigator.
According to audio captured by ringside microphones, Danis was heard taunting members of Team Khabib Nurmagomedov, who were seated near the Octagon. Witnesses say he pointed, laughed, and used language that crossed a line. Within seconds, two of Khabib’s longtime coaches—Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov’s former protégés—stood up. Then came shoving. Then punches. New York City police, stationed at the venue since UFC 7 in 1995, rushed in. The crowd of 20,339 fell silent. The main event nearly didn’t happen.
Dana White’s Ban—And Makhachev’s Stronger Stance
By 11:23 PM UTC, UFC President Dana White released a statement: Dillon Danis was banned for life from attending any UFC event. No exceptions. No appeals. No second chances.
But Makhachev, standing in the locker room at 10:47 PM UTC, wasn’t satisfied. "Dana White has banned Dillon Danis from events after the UFC 322 brawl, but Islam Makhachev thinks the consequences should go further," he told reporters, his voice low but sharp. "This isn’t about one night. It’s about respect. It’s about legacy. If you’re going to bring that energy into our sport, you shouldn’t just be banned from the arena—you should be banned from the industry. Period."
That’s not just emotional. It’s strategic. Makhachev, 23-1 and the undisputed lightweight king, carries the weight of Khabib’s legacy. He’s not just a champion—he’s the face of a dynasty built in Makhachkala, Russia, and trained in Las Vegas. Danis, born in Montreal to Chilean parents, has spent years as MMA’s provocateur: the guy who mocks fighters on Instagram, who posts videos of himself "breaking" legends, who thrives on being hated. And now, he’s the reason the UFC had to call in cops.
Who’s Really at Risk Here?
The real question isn’t just what happens to Danis—it’s what happens to everyone else. The New York State Athletic Commission confirmed it would review the incident at its November 18, 2025 meeting in Albany. Their focus? Not just Danis, but whether coaches and cornermen should be held to the same standards as fighters.
Because here’s the uncomfortable truth: Danis isn’t a fighter. He’s a coach. He’s not under UFC contract. He doesn’t get drug-tested. He doesn’t get fined by athletic commissions. He’s a wildcard. And that’s the problem.
Compare this to the 2018 incident. Khabib was suspended because he’s a fighter, under contract, regulated. Danis? He’s outside the system. So White’s lifetime ban only applies to UFC events. What if Danis shows up at Bellator? At PFL? At a BJJ tournament? Nothing stops him.
What Comes Next? The Ripple Effect
Team Khabib’s camp, now led by Khabib Nurmagomedov since his father’s 2020 passing, is reportedly considering legal action. Sources say they’re exploring civil claims against Danis for emotional distress and defamation. Meanwhile, fighters like Jake Paul, who employs Danis as a grappling coach, are quietly distancing themselves.
The UFC, owned by Endeavor Group Holdings, now faces a dilemma: do they try to regulate non-fighters? If so, how? And if they don’t, what’s to stop the next Danis from showing up at UFC 323 with a megaphone and a grudge?
Some insiders whisper that Makhachev’s call for "harsher consequences" isn’t just about Danis—it’s about sending a message to the entire MMA ecosystem. "We built this sport on discipline," Makhachev said in a quiet moment after the fight. "Not on chaos. Not on noise."
Background: The Making of a Villain
Danis, 31, has spent nearly a decade cultivating his reputation. He rose from a BJJ black belt in Canada to becoming the go-to guy for UFC stars looking to "get inside their opponent’s head." He’s trained Jake Paul, Michael Chandler, and others. But his methods? Often border on bullying. He’s mocked Khabib Nurmagomedov’s accent. He’s posted videos of himself "dunking" on retired fighters. He’s called Khabib’s team "boring." And in 2018, he threw a water bottle at Khabib’s corner—right after the fight ended.
That moment, captured on camera, made him infamous. But it also made him a brand. Now, he’s a symbol of everything the UFC claims to oppose: disrespect, recklessness, chaos. And Makhachev? He’s the embodiment of the opposite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Islam Makhachev call for harsher punishment than Dana White’s ban?
Makhachev believes Danis’s lifetime ban from UFC events is insufficient because Danis isn’t a contracted fighter—he can still appear at other promotions or events. Makhachev wants industry-wide consequences, possibly including legal action or a ban from training UFC athletes, to prevent future provocations that threaten fighter safety and the sport’s integrity.
How is this incident different from the UFC 229 brawl?
In 2018, Khabib Nurmagomedov, a contracted UFC fighter, jumped the cage after a fight. He was punished under UFC and athletic commission rules. Danis, however, is a non-fighter coach with no UFC contract, meaning White’s ban only applies to UFC events. This makes Danis harder to discipline and highlights a loophole in MMA’s regulatory system.
What role did the New York State Athletic Commission play?
The commission reviewed the incident during its scheduled meeting on November 18, 2025, in Albany, New York. While it has no jurisdiction over non-fighters like Danis, it’s examining whether to recommend new rules requiring all event attendees—including coaches and managers—to adhere to a code of conduct, potentially expanding its authority beyond fighters.
Could Dillon Danis face criminal charges?
Yes. New York City police documented the incident and collected witness statements. While no charges have been filed yet, Team Khabib’s legal team is exploring civil and potentially criminal options, including assault or disorderly conduct charges, depending on whether video evidence proves Danis initiated physical contact.
What does this mean for Jake Paul and other fighters who work with Danis?
Fighters like Jake Paul are now under scrutiny for associating with Danis. While Paul hasn’t been directly linked to the brawl, his team is quietly evaluating whether to sever ties. Other UFC fighters may avoid Danis to prevent being associated with controversy, potentially damaging his coaching business and influence in the sport.
Is this the end of Dillon Danis’s career in MMA?
Not necessarily. He can still coach outside UFC events and compete in BJJ tournaments. But his reputation is now permanently tied to chaos. With Team Khabib potentially suing him and UFC fighters avoiding him, his marketability as a coach may collapse—even if he avoids legal consequences.