Arman Tsarukyan charges Dillon Danis over Khamzat Chimaev shirt at RAF 14

Dozens of people rushed the stage during the brawl at Thursday's press conference, and neither man returned for the face-offs before their main event on Friday.

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published Fri 23 Oct, 00:29 UK · AI-assisted reporting

Arman Tsarukyan charged at Dillon Danis at the RAF 14 press conference on Thursday after Danis revealed a T-shirt mocking Khamzat Chimaev, Tsarukyan's teammate and friend. The confrontation set off a brawl that nearly brought down the stage.

The two meet in the RAF 14 main event on Friday. Once officials restored order, the stage was cleared for the customary face-offs, but Tsarukyan and Danis did not reappear.

The pair had traded trash talk calmly until Danis was asked what he was wearing. He stood to show the customised shirt and described it. Danis said: “It says Khamzat’s my bitch.” He added: “And it has a picture with him without a beard.” Seconds later, Tsarukyan left his seat and went straight for Danis. Dozens of people then rushed the stage, some backing the fighters and others working as security to keep them apart. RAF officials struggled to take control as the melee threatened to tear down the stage, with Danis and Tsarukyan looking for punches rather than takedowns.

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Arman Tsarukyan Khamzat Chimaev