Prior to the start of UFC 322’s main card, there was a fight in the crowd. The stir caused the broadcast team to turn and look at the commotion. Footage showed that Islam Makachev’s team got into a fight with Dillon Danis. After the fight, Dana White stated that Danis would be banned for life from UFC events. But, what about Makachev’s team?
Universally, Danis is not liked many in the MMA community. He does have friends, but they were not at the scene of the incident. But it does not mean that you are allowed to fight him when you see him.
And while Jorge Masvidal proclaimed he would have done the same as Makachev’s team, it does not make it right.
This is not the first time that the “Muslim Brotherhood” (a term White quipped post-fight – it might be more ominous if you do a google search) have fought in public.
In 2015, after a World Series of Fighting event, Khabib Nurmogomedov and his crew square off with Nate Diaz and his guys in the Planet Hollywood (remember that casino). In 2018, all hell broke loose at UFC 229 and Danis was once again in the middle. After Khabib submitted Conor McGregor, Nurmogomedov jumped the cage and went after Danis. People from Khabib’s camp entered the Octagon and went after McGregor.
On Saturday night, we had a similar encounter as footage revealed that the “Muslim Brotherhood” got into it with Danis. While there’s a story on both sides, one can deduce that Danis was the primary target of Makachev’s camp.
Notably, Magomed Zaynukov aka John Pork aka Chanko made a name for himself on Saturday as he was seen getting the most shots in on Danis. People really enjoyed this although it was clear that Chanko was hitting Danis in the back of the head.
Which brings up this question. With how disciplined and honorable, the Muslim Brotherhood is with training, why would they commit a crime (by legal standards, assault and battery) in public? Moreover, even if the fight was deemed mutual combat, it’s clear that multiple people could easily harm Danis. If you are Chanko, why not square up with him instead of hitting him from behind?
Why does the Makachev camp continue to do this? Well, it appears there’s no real repercussions. There were no arrests, no one was banned and no real repercussions to the main people in the scuffles.
On Saturday, only Danis received the punishment of a lifetime UFC ban. White indicated in the post-fight press conference that Danis would never attend a UFC event again. Danis had purchased his own ticket for the event but found himself in the fighters’ area of the seats which set off the skirmish.
But not for the people on the other side of the fight. While it may have been Danis’ incessant social media trolling and trash talk which caused the fight, it was not like Makachev’s camp attempted to stop. Moreover, they acted as if it was their right to do what they saw fit.
This is modern civilization. And while the sport is predicated on barbarism and intention to submit or KO the opponent, there has to be some sort of code for these things. Sometimes, it is called the legal authority.
In my opinion, its only because Dana will not take any measure against Makachev’s camp that these things will continue. While Makachev may bring in a lot of money for the UFC, his camp causes trouble for the UFC security and the law enforcement that cover the event. Can you imagine if someone was actually hurt due to that scuffle. Moreover, what about the security that has to break up this fight. I’m sure they could do without getting hit by an inadvertent blow. Dana could put an end to it by banning Makachev’s camp and/or suspending a fighter like Chanko for his involvement.
If there are no consequences for one’s actions, the actions will continue. This does not teach discipline that martial arts was founded on. It just shows the wild lack of discipline one has and the lack of respect for others.
Makachev’s camp continues to work in a world without repercussions.
Leave a Reply