A mass brawl involving former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili and PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov took place in an Abu Dhabi hotel lobby on Wednesday. The altercation, which was captured on video, resulted in 10 arrests by local authorities.
Details of the Altercation
Footage of the incident shows 28-year-old Usman Nurmagomedov approaching 35-year-old Dvalishvili from behind and slapping him. The initial strike triggered a larger fight involving members of both fighters’ teams. Abu Dhabi Police confirmed in an official statement that they arrested eight individuals directly involved in the fight, which they attributed to previous disputes between the parties. Additionally, two people were arrested for filming the incident, and the police stated that necessary legal measures are being taken.
Following the brawl, Dvalishvili posted a video on TikTok showing his bloodied face while receiving medical treatment. He referred to Nurmagomedov and his team as “snakes,” questioning their character and suggesting that if they wanted to fight, they should do so in a legitimate setting. “What a sneaky way, guys,” Dvalishvili said. “What kind of fighters you guys are? What kind of man does this? If you want to try, let’s do it the real way.”
Context and Reactions
The tension between the two camps dates back to an altercation that occurred before a Real American Freestyle (RAF) event in July. UFC champion Islam Makhachev, a close associate of the Nurmagomedov family, claimed the latest incident was a continuation of past grievances. Writing on social media, Makhachev alleged that Dvalishvili had previously insulted a Dagestani wrestler and his mother, stating, “Merab started what happened today in his homeland by allowing himself to hit a guest and insulting his mother.”
Ilia Topuria, a two-weight UFC champion and friend of Dvalishvili, condemned the actions of the Nurmagomedov camp on X. He labeled the group “cowards” and criticized them for failing to uphold values of honor and respect. Topuria also noted reports that Usman Nurmagomedov had been detained following the brawl.
Dvalishvili is currently scheduled to face Brazilian Marlon Moraes at the RAF event in the United Arab Emirates this Saturday. Meanwhile, Umar Nurmagomedov, Usman’s older brother, is also slated to compete at the same event against Urijah Faber. Usman Nurmagomedov, who is currently a free agent following his tenure with the PFL, has been frequently linked to a potential move to the UFC.
