UFC President Dana White provided his reaction to the confrontation between Ilia Topuria and Josh Hawkit at UFC 328. White noted that both Topuria and Alex Pereira are usually calm fighters, though Topuria can occasionally lose his temper. He stated the UFC did not anticipate such an incident. White described how all fighters were seated close together in one row, and Sean O'Malley began moving back during the altercation. White expressed his surprise at the situation unfolding. The incident drew attention to tensions between fighters at the event.
UFC President Dana White addressed the media following a backstage confrontation between Ilia Topuria and Josh Hawkit at UFC 328, which took place on May 9, 2026.
Topuria, the number-one pound-for-pound fighter in the world, competes at lightweight with a 17-1 record and holds the division's number-two ranking. The 29-year-old Spanish fighter out of Climent Club is known for his well-rounded offensive game, averaging 4.81 significant strikes per minute and nearly two takedowns per 15 minutes. White acknowledged that Topuria can occasionally lose his temper, though he characterized him as generally composed.
White also referenced light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira in his comments, describing both him and Topuria as typically calm individuals. Pereira, 38, holds a 13-4 record and carries the light heavyweight title into 2026 under the banner of Teixeira MMA and Fitness. The Brazilian stands six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach and posts a striking accuracy of 62 percent.
White said the UFC did not anticipate the altercation and expressed clear surprise that it unfolded the way it did. He described how all fighters had been seated close together in a single row at the event, and noted that bantamweight contender Sean O'Malley began moving away from the situation as it escalated. O'Malley, ranked fourth at bantamweight with a 20-3 record, was among those seated nearby when the incident occurred.
Why it matters
- Topuria is the top-ranked pound-for-pound fighter, meaning any controversy surrounding him draws significant attention to the lightweight division
- The public nature of the incident, occurring at a marquee pay-per-view event, puts the UFC in an awkward position regarding fighter conduct
- White's comments suggest the organization had no prior warning of tensions between Topuria and Hawkit
Saturday, May 9, 2026
