For someone who has never fought in the UFC, Dillon Danis consistently finds ways to make UFC evenings about him. UFC 322 was no different. Minutes before the main card was set to launch, Madison Square Garden was already buzzing, but not for the fights everyone had come to see. Instead, the buzz turned into a roar thanks to a tense situation brewing in the lower bowl; perhaps a sequel to the chaos that erupted in Vegas in 2018.

The Misfits MMA champion was seen getting into a brawl with members of Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev’s team. The situation escalated from the moment the initial shove was delivered. Danis squared up with members of Team Khabib, and within seconds, bodies collided, punches flew, and the section dissolved into a tangle of jackets, limbs, and wild shouting.

Abubakar Nurmagomedov, who previously threw hands with Conor McGregor inside the Octagon, was among those visibly involved. He was hauled away by security while attempting to charge forward, while Danis continued to swing as more people joined the fight.

Another familiar face in the chaos was Magomed Zaynukov. Better known among fans as ‘John Pork’ or ‘Chanco,’ the 30-year-old lightweight shared Makhachev’s spotlight throughout fight week, appearing in promotional material and in fan chants at the UFC 322 presser. Makhachev even called for the UFC to sign him. But ‘Chanco’ was true to his moniker and going ‘Wild’ on Danis. One look at that, and Dana White could decide against ever giving him a chance to step into the Octagon.

Even the press row felt the force, as tumbling men collided dangerously close to equipment and media tables. Hunter Campbell pushed through the chaos, attempting to separate the fighters and their entourages, but the momentum was powerful enough to overpower even the most experienced MSG staff. Dozens were trapped in the midst, with some attempting to break it up and others merely worsening the situation.

While the cameras captured bits of the action, only Danis and Abubakar were easily recognized among the swarm of bodies. The brawl was more than just a sudden outburst; it was another episode in a rivalry that refuses to stay buried. The 32-year-old has been circling the Nurmagomedov camp since the infamous UFC 229 post-fight brawl, when Khabib Nurmagomedov jumped the cage and chased him after McGregor’s — who was also Danis’ training partner — submission loss.

That bad blood had been simmering for years, driven by insults, gym alliances, and never-ending online shots. So when Danis ended up fighting with members of the same group on Saturday night, it felt like unfinished business had boiled over again. The timing was even crazier: as the UFC 322 main card broadcast began and “Baba O’Reilly” echoed through the arena, fans witnessed the unscheduled bout.

No one knows what caused the first shove, but the chaos that ensued showed one thing: when Danis is in the building and Islam Makhachev’s camp is close, the past is always one spark away from reigniting. It was also not a great look for Danis who is said to be in constant contact with UFC about making it to the promotion. So how will head honcho Dana White react to the whole situation?

What can fans expect to see in the next 24 hours? Will Dana White penalize those involved?

Given how the previous incident at MSG played out in 2018, the following day is likely to be just as heated as what happened in the stands. Dana White has never hesitated to state when athletes are “in big trouble,” and with Dillon Danis and members of Team Dagestan causing yet another public mess, the UFC CEO will almost surely act swiftly. Expect early calls, internal talks, and a strong message that this will not be overlooked.

The commission is normally the first to move, and this is likely to continue if Islam Makhachev is in any way found responsible for the chaos. In 2018, Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s entire purse was frozen for hours, prompting rumors of suspensions and harsher penalties. So while Danis and Abubakar were not fighters at the event, their conduct will still be examined frame by frame as surveillance footage and fan recordings are delivered to legal authorities.

It does not matter if the fighters involved are under contract with the UFC or not. Back in June, former middleweight champion Sean Strickland was involved in an altercation at a Tuff-N-Uff event. The aftermath? A six-month suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. So, the New York State Athletic Commission could take a similar initiative and penalize the fighters involved in the UFC 322 incident.

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Fines, event bans, or restricted access to the camps involved could all be on the way. History says the UFC won’t wait long to make an example out of a night like this.