Dana White issued a warning to Dillon Danis about appearing at UFC 328. Speaking on the Nina Drama show, White jokingly suggested that if Danis shows up to the event, Muslims might be so focused on him that they won't be able to pursue Sean Strickland. The comment appears to reference ongoing tensions surrounding the UFC 328 main event. White's remarks came in a lighthearted tone during the interview.
Dana White issued a pointed — if tongue-in-cheek — warning to Dillon Danis on the eve of UFC 328, telling the Nina Drama show that Danis should stay away from the event. White joked that if Danis were to show up, Muslims in attendance might be so preoccupied with him that Sean Strickland would be left alone. The remark, delivered in a lighthearted tone, appeared to nod at the friction surrounding the UFC 328 main event.
At the center of that main event is middleweight champion Sean Strickland, who carries a 31-7-0 record into the card. The 35-year-old American, who trains out of Xtreme Couture, has long been one of the most polarizing figures in the division. Fighting out of an orthodox stance, Strickland stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach and lands an eye-catching 6.04 significant strikes per minute, a rate that reflects the relentless pressure he applies across three or five rounds. His striking accuracy sits at 42 percent.
Why it matters
- Strickland's title defense carries significant divisional weight at 185 pounds, and any distraction in the build-up adds another storyline to an already charged card.
- White's comments suggest the promotion is aware of — and publicly managing — potential flashpoints around the event.
- Danis, a figure who generates controversy independent of any sanctioned MMA activity, has the documented ability to redirect media attention simply by being present.
- The timing of White's remarks, one day before the event, underlines how seriously the UFC is treating crowd and venue atmosphere heading into fight night.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
