Usman Nurmagomedov and Associates Brawl with Merab Dvalishvili in Abu Dhabi

Former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili sustained a bloody face in a hotel lobby altercation on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi, where Usman Nurmagomedov and multiple associates approached him from behind and slapped him in the face.

Abu Dhabi Hotel Lobby Ambush

The physical confrontation occurred while Dvalishvili was conducting an interview for Real American Freestyle ahead of the organization’s scheduled event in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Nurmagomedov approached the Georgian fighter from behind during the media engagement, sparking a chaotic group brawl involving members from both camps. Video footage of the incident circulated widely across social media platforms, capturing the immediate aftermath and Dvalishvili receiving medical attention for visible cuts and bruises.

At least six people were involved in the ruckus that left Dvalishvili and a young 21-year-old Georgian wrestler friend heavily outnumbered. Dvalishvili estimated the opposing group numbered around 20 men during the melee. Footage of the incident shows Usman approaching Dvalishvili and saying, “I have a question for you,” in Russian before delivering the initial slap.

“everyone involved in the hotel brawl is still being detained by the local authorities,” MMA insider Ariel Helwani told news outlets reported that Usman had been detained along with the people with him.

Ilia Topuria shared footage of the confrontation, while additional clips circulated through mixed martial arts accounts such as Championship Rounds. The incident took place as the fighters gathered for the RAF event, adding to a series of physical confrontations between the competing teams in recent months.

Dvalishvili Denounces Usman Nurmagomedov for an Unfair Confrontation

Following the altercation, Dvalishvili took to social media to denounce the manner in which the confrontation unfolded, criticizing the PFL lightweight champion and his associates.

What a sneaky way guys. Just two of us, me and my friend came here in Abu Dhabi, and Usman Nurmagomedov and his friends came like snakes from behind. What kind of fighters you guys are? What kind of man does this, bro? If you want to talk or fight, let’s do like real way bro.

Merab Dvalishvili, via Sports Illustrated

“Security was holding me — they kept kicking us when we were down like losers,” he wrote.

UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev defended Usman Nurmagomedov on Instagram, writing that the altercation was started by Merab, and questioning why critics were silent when Merab slapped the Dagestani fighter and insulted his honor. Makhachev is longtime teammates and friends with both Nurmagomedov brothers, and his mentor is UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Other fighters voiced sharp criticism against the Nurmagomedov camp. Content creator Nina-Marie Daniele also called on UFC officials to ban Usman and his team from the promotion, labeling the participants as a “bunch of degenerates” in a premeditated attack. Daniele said that Dillon Danis had previously been banned following an altercation involving Russian fighters, prompting her to call for similar strict consequences for the current group.

Roots of the Grudge and Upcoming Schedule

The hostility between Dvalishvili and the Nurmagomedov team stems from a rivalry dating back to UFC 311 in January 2025, where Dvalishvili defeated Usman’s older brother, Umar Nurmagomedov, by unanimous decision to defend his bantamweight title. The bout marked Umar’s first professional defeat. Dvalishvili later lost the bantamweight championship to Petr Yan in December 2025.

Usman Nurmagomedov defeated Hughes in a rematch to claim the vacant PFL lightweight belt and defended his title with stoppages of Alfie Davis and Archie Colgan before entering his current free agency status.

Despite the violence in the hotel lobby, both fighters remain booked for separate matches at the upcoming Real American Freestyle card. Dvalishvili is scheduled to face Marlon Moraes in a freestyle wrestling match, while Umar Nurmagomedov is expected to face Urijah Faber.

Usman Nurmagomedov is a restricted free agent after his time as the Professional Fighters League lightweight champion; industry insiders speculate he may move to the UFC in 2027.