Merab Dvalishvili and Usman Nurmagomedov Clash in Abu Dhabi Hotel Lobby Brawl

A mass brawl erupted in an Abu Dhabi hotel lobby on Wednesday involving mixed martial arts figures Merab Dvalishvili and Usman Nurmagomedov. Video footage captured Nurmagomedov approaching the 35-year-old Georgian from behind and slapping him, which immediately sparked fighting between the two athletes and members of their respective teams.

Accusations and Allegations

Following the altercation, Dvalishvili posted a video on TikTok while receiving medical treatment for a bloodied face. He asserted that he and a friend were outnumbered and attacked from behind by Nurmagomedov and his associates, alleging that security held him down while members of the opposing group kicked him and his companion.

Underlying Feud and Reactions

The clash stems from an ongoing rivalry that intensified after Dvalishvili defeated Usman's older brother, Umar, in a bantamweight title fight in 2025. UFC champion Islam Makhachev claimed the latest incident stemmed from a previous altercation involving Dvalishvili and a Dagestani wrestler in Georgia. Meanwhile, two-weight UFC champion Ilia Topuria shared footage of the incident on social media, harshly condemning the actions and reporting that Usman and his companions had been detained.

Upcoming Fights

Despite the incident and his facial injuries, Dvalishvili reassured supporters that he is fully committed to competing on Saturday at the Real American Freestyle (RAF) event in the United Arab Emirates, where he is scheduled to face Brazilian Marlon Moraes. Umar Nurmagomedov is also slated to compete at the same event against American Urijah Faber.