UFC President Dana White addressed the altercation between Ilia Topuria and Josh Hawkit at UFC 328. White noted that both Topuria and Alex Pereira are usually calm individuals, though Topuria can occasionally flare up. He stated they did not expect the incident, describing how all the fighters were seated close together in the same row. White mentioned that Sean O'Malley began moving backward during the confrontation. The UFC president appeared surprised by the situation unfolding.
UFC President Dana White spoke publicly on Sunday about a confrontation involving Ilia Topuria and Josh Hawkit that took place during UFC 328, offering his account of how the incident developed and expressing surprise that it occurred at all.
Topuria, the pound-for-pound number one fighter in the world, competes at lightweight and carries a 17-1 record into his current run. The 29-year-old Spaniard, who trains out of Climent Club, is ranked second in the lightweight division and lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at a 48 percent accuracy rate. White characterized him as someone who is generally composed but capable of flaring up on occasion.
Light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, a 38-year-old Brazilian out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness, was also mentioned by White as someone who typically maintains a calm demeanor. Pereira holds a 13-4 record and is one of the sport's most imposing strikers, connecting at 62 percent accuracy and landing 5.16 significant strikes per minute.
Bantamweight contender Sean O'Malley, ranked fourth at 135 pounds, was seated in the same row when the altercation broke out. White noted that the 31-year-old American began moving backward as the confrontation unfolded. O'Malley carries a 20-3 record and leads all three fighters in striking output, averaging 6.05 significant strikes per minute at 60 percent accuracy.
White indicated that the fighters had all been placed close together in the same seating row, and that the UFC did not anticipate any incident arising from the arrangement.
Why it matters
- Topuria's involvement draws attention given his status as the sport's top pound-for-pound fighter
- The episode puts a spotlight on fighter seating logistics at major UFC events
- With Topuria at lightweight and Pereira holding gold at light heavyweight, both men remain central figures in the promotion's biggest storylines
Saturday, May 9, 2026
