Khamzat Chimaev Breaks Silence on Dillon Danis Brawl

Khamzat Chimaev defeated Dillon Danis via a rapid-fire pinfall in the first period of their RAF 10 wrestling match on Saturday. The victory triggered a massive stage brawl after Chimaev kicked Danis’ leg, according to event reports and statements Chimaev provided to Red Corner MMA on Sunday.

The melee began when Danis held onto Chimaev’s foot as the referee attempted to separate the two athletes following the pinfall. Chimaev responded by kicking Danis in the leg, causing dozens of people to flood the stage. RAF officials struggled to maintain control of the situation as the brawl erupted.

Why did the RAF 10 match end in a brawl?

The chaos stemmed from post-match tension after Chimaev’s quick victory. While Danis attempted a guillotine choke during the initial takedown attempt, he was pinned seconds later.

The situation escalated when Danis refused to let go of Chimaev’s foot during the referee’s intervention. This prompted the kick that ignited the wider confrontation on stage.

Did You Know? Chimaev and Danis had a playful, non-contentious faceoff during the RAF 10 pre-match press conference, despite the volatility that followed on Saturday.

What did Khamzat Chimaev say about Dillon Danis?

Speaking to Red Corner MMA on Sunday, Chimaev described Danis as a “weird guy” and an “idiot.” He claimed Danis acted out because he realized he was not at Chimaev’s level in wrestling.

Khamzat Chimaev vs Dillon Danis FULL FIGHT + All Out Brawl | RAF 10

“Stupid guys do stupid things,” Chimaev said regarding the ordeal. He added that if Danis had successfully executed a submission, he would never train again.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the shift from a “playful” press conference to a stage brawl highlights the extreme volatility often present when high-level combat athletes compete outside their primary professional promotions.

Could Chimaev and Danis fight again?

A future encounter may occur if the two agree to a street fight. Chimaev previously invited the former Bellator fighter to a street fight earlier in the week to test himself against a top middleweight.

Chimaev told Red Corner MMA that he intended to ask Danis to “dance outside” immediately after winning the match. He suggested Danis avoided the offer due to the presence of security.

The former UFC middleweight champion stated he remains open to the challenge. He told Danis to send a message with a location whenever he is ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Khamzat Chimaev win the match?
Chimaev won by scoring a rapid-fire pinfall in the first period.

What triggered the brawl at RAF 10?
The brawl began after Chimaev kicked Dillon Danis in the leg because Danis held onto his foot after the match had ended.

Did Dillon Danis attempt any submissions?
Danis appeared to grab for a guillotine choke during Chimaev’s first takedown attempt.

Do you think a street fight would settle the dispute between these two athletes?