Imagine this: Your family is ringside, ready to cheer for your loved one, when suddenly, chaos erupts! That's the reality Jack Della Maddalena's family faced at UFC 322. They were mere feet away from a massive brawl that unfolded at Madison Square Garden, a clash that might have been years in the making.
UFC 322 was set to be a night of high-stakes action, with Australia's own Jack Della Maddalena putting his welterweight title on the line against the formidable Islam Makhachev, a former lightweight champ. The event, broadcast live from New York City, promised a blockbuster night of fights. You could have ordered it with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Jack's family, including his mother, Sonya, and wife, Michelle, had front-row seats when the pandemonium started. The source? A heated exchange involving the controversial American fighter Dillon Danis and what appeared to be members of Islam Makhachev's team.
While the exact cause of the brawl remains unclear, it seemed as though Danis, known for his Misfits MMA exploits, was trading blows with members of Team Makhachev. A barricade, positioned directly in front of Jack Della Maddalena's mother, was knocked over as fighters crashed into it, spilling onto the concrete floor of MSG. Beers, chairs, and terrified fans scattered in the ensuing melee.
Among those involved was former UFC fighter Abubakar Nurmagomedov, who was quickly removed from the scene by security. UFC's chief business officer, Hunter Campbell, also jumped into action, attempting to de-escalate the volatile situation.
And this is the part most people miss... The action didn't stop there. The brawl spilled over into the media area, with at least one stadium security staffer caught in the crossfire. Danis was subsequently detained by security, repeatedly claiming, "I didn't do anything."
But here's where it gets controversial... This isn't Danis's first brush with UFC drama. He was previously targeted by Khabib Nurmagomedov after Nurmagomedov's 2018 victory over Conor McGregor. The incident stemmed from a pre-fight war of words, with Danis serving as one of McGregor's primary training partners and grappling coach.
Further footage suggests that the conflict involved Danis and UFC fighter Magomed Zaynukov, also known as “John Pork.” The brawl unfolded just before Benoit Saint Denis and Beneil Dariush entered the cage to kick off the UFC 322 pay-per-view.
What do you think? Do you believe Danis was the instigator, or was there more to the story? Share your thoughts in the comments!
