Dana White warns Dillon Danis not to appear at UFC 328

UFC president Dana White has issued a pointed public warning to Dillon Danis ahead of UFC 328, which takes place on May 9, 2026, cautioning the polarizing figure to stay away from the event.

White made the statement during an appearance on Nina Drama's show, suggesting that if Danis were to show up, Muslim fighters on the card could become so preoccupied with him that they would lose focus on middleweight champion Sean Strickland. The remark points to the kind of volatile distraction Danis's presence has historically generated in combat sports settings, and White's comments indicate a clear desire to keep the event on track without incident.

Strickland, 35, holds the UFC middleweight title and carries a professional record of 31-7-0. The American fighter out of Xtreme Couture has built his reputation on relentless forward pressure and high output, averaging 6.04 significant strikes landed per minute with a six-foot-one frame and a 76-inch reach. He is no stranger to controversy himself, making the prospect of added external drama around his fights a recurring concern for the promotion.

Why it matters

• White's warning signals genuine concern about crowd control and fighter focus at UFC 328
• Strickland's championship status means any disruption around the event carries divisional consequences
• Danis's history of provocative public behavior makes the threat of distraction credible enough for the UFC president to address it openly
• The comments were made on a public platform, raising the profile of the situation heading into fight week