Tensions boiled over at Misfits 22! Dillon Danis and Luke Rockhold were involved in a shocking backstage brawl, leaving one of them bleeding. Their reactions have now surfaced, and they’re as explosive as the scuffle itself. Who do you think started it?
The world of combat sports was recently set alight by an unexpected and violent backstage altercation involving two prominent figures, Dillon Danis and Luke Rockhold, just hours before their scheduled appearances at the highly anticipated Misfits 22 event. This explosive incident, which left a former champion visibly injured, has ignited a firestorm of discussion across social media and the fighting community, forcing both men to address the dramatic encounter.
Eyewitness accounts and viral images quickly confirmed the severity of the confrontation, depicting a chaotic scene where tensions between Danis and Rockhold escalated into a physical clash during the weigh-ins. Reports indicated Danis attempting to physically restrain Rockhold around the throat, while security personnel struggled to separate the warring pair amidst the commotion, with one particularly stark image revealing a nasty gash across Rockhold’s back, underscoring the intensity of the brawl.
Following the scuffle, Dillon Danis was quick to issue a defiant statement, asserting his dominance with the comment, “Luke Rockhold learned to never mess with a gangster.” The controversial Bellator star also controversially took aim at UFC legend Daniel Cormier, responding to a social media report of the altercation by boldly declaring, “DC’s fat a** is next,” hinting at further feuds and solidifying his reputation for generating headlines.
Luke Rockhold, the former UFC middleweight champion, also took to social media to share his perspective on the incident. In a post on X, he directly challenged Danis, quote-tweeting a video of their earlier verbal exchange with the pointed question, “Ask @dillondanis how his face feels?” This public exchange confirmed that the bad blood between the two fighters was far from over and continued to simmer ahead of their respective bouts.
The backstage brawl was not the only dramatic moment of the weigh-in events, as Rockhold also engaged in a heated verbal exchange with his upcoming opponent, Darren Till. The British fighter pressed Rockhold to extend their bout from six to eight rounds, responding sharply to Rockhold’s insinuation of drug use. Till’s challenge, “If I’m a cokehead, why won’t you do eight rounds? This fight is now eight rounds or I won’t be fighting,” added another layer of tension to an already electrifying fight card.
Beyond the central controversy, the Misfits 22 card itself boasts a diverse lineup of matchups, blending seasoned combat sports veterans with rising stars and celebrity personalities. Fans can anticipate former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson facing influencer Salt Papi, while reality television figures Joey Essex and Demi Sims are also slated to make their respective debuts, drawing a broader audience to the event.
However, the event also saw an unexpected shake-up in the heavyweight division, as Misfits champion Chase DeMoor seemingly withdrew from his fight against challenger Natan Marcon. This decision followed a bizarre incident where Marcon threw an egg at DeMoor during their face-off, prompting the champion to demand an apology or an increased purse. DeMoor later shared a video suggesting he was leaving the country, casting doubt on the bout’s future.
The Misfits 22 event is scheduled to unfold at Manchester’s iconic AO Arena, promising a night of high-octane action on Saturday, August 30. The main undercard is expected to commence around 7pm UK time, with a global audience tuning in across various time zones to witness the spectacle.
The main event, featuring Luke Rockhold against Darren Till, is slated to be a highlight of the evening, with Rockhold likely making his entrance around 11pm UK time, closely followed by Till. The two combatants are expected to touch gloves shortly after 11:20pm UK time, marking the official start of their highly anticipated clash, although the exact timing remains flexible based on the preceding fights.