MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn posted video of the altercation, and it was something that could have been prevented, according to UFC president Dana White.
In the post event press conferenceWhite was asked about the altercation and his reaction to it, and he said, “I blame myself for that.”
White said he was informed of Danis’ presence and asked if he had purchased a ticket. He knew there might be animosity between Danis and Jorge Masvidal. However, they were several rows apart. So when White was asked if Danis should be removed, he said, “If the guy has a ticket, let him sit in his seat and let him do what he does, and keep an eye on him.”
White added: “It never even occurred to me, as stupid as this may be, that the entire Muslim Brotherhood was here tonight in the first five rows for Islam.”
Reality hit White when the fight broke out.
“As soon as it broke out, I said, ‘[Expletive]I know what this is.
White knows this well, because Danis was the focus of Makhachev’s coach and former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov’s ire when a brawl broke out at UFC229. When Nurmagomedov defeated Danis’ friend Conor McGregor, he turned his attention to Danis, who was sitting at the cage, and went after him because Danis provoked him with insults towards his family and religion.
The history was there, but the UFC machine moves so fast. It’s easy to forget seven years ago when you’re leading the world’s leading MMA company.
Now, with all the Muslim fighters on the UFC roster and Danis’ tendency to provoke them, White said, “You’ll never see Dillon Danis at a UFC fight again.”
That’s probably the right decision.
Watch White’s full comments below:
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