UFC President Dana White addressed the altercation between Ilia Topuria and Josh Hawkit at UFC 328. White noted that both Topuria and Pereira are typically calm individuals, though Topuria can sometimes lose his temper. White stated they did not expect the confrontation, especially since the fighters were seated in close proximity. He mentioned that Sean O'Malley started moving away during the incident, expressing surprise at the situation. The comment suggests the UFC was caught off guard by the heated exchange between the fighters.
UFC President Dana White spoke publicly on Sunday about a heated altercation that broke out between Ilia Topuria and Josh Hawkit during UFC 328, which took place on May 9, 2026, acknowledging that the promotion was caught off guard by the confrontation.
White described both Topuria and Alex Pereira as generally composed individuals, though he noted that Topuria has a tendency to lose his temper on occasion. The UFC did not anticipate trouble, White said, particularly given that the fighters involved were seated in close proximity to one another inside the arena. He also noted that Sean O'Malley began distancing himself from the situation as it unfolded, signaling that those nearby recognized the confrontation was escalating quickly.
Topuria, 29, is currently the number-two ranked lightweight in the UFC and holds the top spot on the pound-for-pound rankings. The Spain-based fighter out of Climent Club carries a record of 17-1-0 and has shown a well-rounded offensive game, averaging 4.81 significant strikes per minute along with 1.96 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Pereira, the reigning light heavyweight champion, brings a 13-4-0 record into 2026. The 38-year-old Brazilian operates out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness and has built his reputation as one of the sport's most dangerous strikers, connecting on 62 percent of his significant strikes at a rate of 5.16 per minute.
O'Malley, the fourth-ranked bantamweight at 31 years old, carries a 20-3-0 record and is known for his sharp striking output of 6.05 significant strikes per minute with 60 percent accuracy out of MMA Lab.
Why it matters
- The incident involved two of the UFC's highest-profile active fighters and its pound-for-pound leader
- White's comments suggest the UFC had no advance warning, raising questions about event security and seating arrangements
- The presence of multiple marquee names in close quarters amplified the visibility of the confrontation
Saturday, May 9, 2026
