Las Vegas: Arman Tsarukyan and Dillon Danis turned their RAF 14 pre-event press conference into chaos after a heated exchange escalated into a physical confrontation in Las Vegas on Thursday, leaving the stage in disarray and a security guard visibly bloodied.
The incident occurred during the final promotional event ahead of their highly anticipated showdown at RAF 14, with UFC lightweight contender Tsarukyan losing his temper after Danis taunted him with a provocative T-shirt featuring former UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev.
The press conference had largely remained under control despite repeated verbal exchanges between the two fighters. However, tensions boiled over when Danis was asked to explain the message printed on his shirt.
Danis stood up and displayed a customised design featuring an altered photograph of Chimaev without his beard, accompanied by an insulting message directed at the former champion.
“It says, ‘Khamzat is my b****,’” Danis said, according to reports.
Tsarukyan immediately reacted to the provocation, getting to his feet and charging towards Danis before throwing a right hand. Security personnel rushed onto the stage to separate the fighters as the confrontation rapidly escalated.
The ensuing melee lasted close to two minutes, with several security staff members struggling to bring the situation under control. Both fighters were eventually restrained, but the disturbance left the stage area in considerable disarray.
One member of the security team was seen with blood on his face following the incident.
Khamzat Chimaev Reacts After Press Conference Brawl
The confrontation also drew attention from Khamzat Chimaev, who responded on social media shortly after the incident.
Chimaev’s involvement in the exchange stemmed from Danis’ decision to use the former UFC champion’s image as part of his attempt to provoke Tsarukyan ahead of their RAF 14 contest.
The incident added another layer of drama to the build-up surrounding the event, which has attracted considerable attention because of the personalities involved and the increasingly hostile exchanges between the headliners.
Tsarukyan’s History of High-Profile Confrontations
Tsarukyan has previously been involved in several controversial incidents outside the Octagon, making the latest altercation another flashpoint in his increasingly eventful career.
In late 2025, he was involved in a widely discussed incident with Dan Hooker ahead of their UFC Qatar main event, when Tsarukyan head-butted his opponent during a pre-fight confrontation.
He was also involved in a heated altercation with Georgio Poullas in February, helping fuel a rivalry that later became a major talking point surrounding their rematch at RAF 7 in March.
The latest incident involving Danis further highlights how promotional confrontations involving Tsarukyan have repeatedly attracted attention beyond his performances in competition.
Tsarukyan vs Danis to Headline RAF 14
RAF 14 is scheduled to take place at Fontainebleau Las Vegas in Nevada, with Tsarukyan and Danis set to headline the event in a contest for the promotion’s vacant middleweight crossover championship.
The clash has generated interest not only because of the fighters’ contrasting backgrounds but also because of the growing animosity between them during the build-up.
Tsarukyan is one of the UFC’s leading lightweight contenders, while Danis is known for his grappling background and outspoken persona, which has frequently made him a prominent figure in combat sports headlines.
Following Thursday’s chaotic press conference, attention will now turn to whether the two fighters can keep their emotions under control when they meet at RAF 14.
With security personnel already forced to intervene before fight night, the confrontation has added another dramatic chapter to the build-up for the Las Vegas event.
