UFC Fence (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
On Wednesday, February 27, four-fight UFC veteran and Longo MMA product Dennis Buzukja was handed a nine-month suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for his role in a post-fight skirmish with an antagonistic fan at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas during UFC 310 in December.
According to several reports, Buzukja is facing a nine-month suspension that could be reduced to six months if he completes community service in Nevada. In addition to the suspension, he will be fined $2,500 and charged $157.04 in attorney fees.
ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY – MARCH 30: Dennis Buzukja warms up prior to his fight during the UFC … [+]
Buzukja’s suspension is currently set to run through Sept. 6, 2025, but it could end in June with the reduction. The incident seems to have stemmed from the rivalry between Buzukja’s teammates and friends, Aljamain Sterling and UFC men’s bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili, and their beef with Umar Nurmagomedov.
A fan some believe to be part of Nurmagomedov’s camp or entourage antagonized Dvalishvili as they left the Octagon following Sterling’s razor-thin loss to Movsar Evloev on Dec. 7, 2024.
Video footage shows security intervening, separating Dvalishvili from most of the commotion, but Buzukja and the man believed to be a Nurmagomedov supporter appeared to have exchanged punches.
Here is a look at the video:
Dvalishvili has said the fan was the culprit, inciting the near-brawl as he was preparing for his fight with Nurmagomedov the following month. Dvalishvili successfully defended his title against Nurmagomedov via unanimous decision.
Buzukja has said that he only approached the fan to tell him to “relax” and to show “some respect.” Quickly, things spun in another direction.
The suspension couldn’t come at a worse time from a professional standpoint. The 27-year-old is coming off a split-decision loss to Francis Marshall in August 2024, and he’s only managed a 1-3 record in the UFC since being signed.
Despite a pair of appearances on Dana White’s Contender Series (1-1), Buzukja failed to make the main roster through that route. He got his first opportunity when he stepped in on short notice to take on Sean Woodson in August 2023.
Buzukja missed weight for the fight and lost by unanimous decision. Three months later, he was knocked out in the first round by Jamall Emmers at UFC 295.
Buzukja bounced back in March 2024 with a performance-bonus-winning third-round TKO win over Connor Matthews.
With the suspension, the recent loss to Marshall, and his negative record in the UFC, Buzukja could have his back against the wall in his next fight. I’d expect him to be ready to fight around June or July, but if he falls, that might lead to his release.
Up Next – UFC Vegas 103
Manel Kape will get his opportunity to prove he is worthy of a title shot. He will face Asu Almabayev in the UFC Vegas 103 main event on Saturday, March 1.
Here is a look at the entire card:
- Manel Kape vs. Asu Almabayev – Flyweight
- Cody Brundage vs. Julian Marquez – Middleweight
- Nasrat Haqparast vs. Esteban Ribovics – Lightweight
- Austen Lane vs. Mario Pinto – Heavyweight
- William Gomis vs. Hyder Amil – Featherweight
- Danny Barlow vs. Sam Patterson – Welterweight
- Ricardo Ramos vs. Chepe Mariscal – Featherweight
- Douglas Silva de Andrade vs. John Castañeda – Bantamweight
- Andrea Lee vs. JJ Aldrich – Flyweight
- Lucas Almeida vs. Danny Silva – Featherweight
- Montana De La Rosa vs. Luana Carolina – Flyweight
- Charles Johnson vs. Ramazan Temirov – Flyweight
