BREAKING: Former UFC Champion Merab Dvalishvili Ambushed in Abu Dhabi Hotel Lobby — Usman Nurmagomedov Among Those Sentenced to Prison
A 𝘴h☉𝔠king confrontation involving former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has escalated into a major legal controversy in the United Arab Emirates, after the Georgian fighter was attacked during a hotel lobby interview in Abu Dhabi.
The incident occurred on November 11, 2026, during fight week for the Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling event. Dvalishvili was speaking to a camera in the hotel lobby when Russian MMA star Usman Nurmagomedov approached him with several associates.
Video footage circulating online appears to show Nurmagomedov approaching Dvalishvili from behind before striking him across the face. The confrontation quickly escalated into a physical altercation involving members of both groups.
Dvalishvili later shared footage of himself receiving medical attention, showing a bloodied face. In a social media statement, he alleged that he and his young friend, Georgian wrestler Saba Lazishvili, were attacked from behind and struck by multiple individuals.
The incident immediately sparked outrage throughout the MMA community, with several prominent fighters publicly criticizing the confrontation and calling for accountability.
Abu Dhabi Authorities Take Action
The situation quickly moved beyond the sporting world.
Abu Dhabi Police confirmed that 10 individuals were arrested in connection with the hotel altercation. Eight were reportedly involved in the physical confrontation, while two others were detained for filming the incident.
On November 13, Reuters reported that an Abu Dhabi court had convicted all 10 individuals.
According to the report, six defendants received six-month prison sentences and fines of 300,000 UAE dirhams each, while Dvalishvili and Lazishvili were fined 50,000 dirhams each and released. Two additional individuals received six-month sentences for filming and publishing footage of the incident.
Deportation orders were also issued as part of the court’s ruling.
A Rivalry That Goes Back Years
The confrontation comes amid a history of tension between Dvalishvili and the Nurmagomedov camp.
In January 2025, Dvalishvili defeated Umar Nurmagomedov by unanimous decision at UFC 311, successfully defending his UFC bantamweight championship.
The rivalry reportedly intensified in the months that followed, with further confrontations involving individuals connected to both camps.
Usman Nurmagomedov, a former PFL lightweight champion, was not scheduled to compete at the RAF event but was reportedly in Abu Dhabi supporting his brother Umar.
What Happens Next?
Despite the controversy, Dvalishvili remained scheduled to face former UFC fighter Marlon Moraes at RAF Abu Dhabi on November 14.
The incident has raised serious questions about fighter safety, personal rivalries and the responsibility of professional athletes when conflicts spill outside the competition arena.
For Dvalishvili, the confrontation has become far more than a personal dispute. It has turned into an international legal controversy involving prominent MMA figures and the authorities in Abu Dhabi.
The latest court ruling marks a significant development, but questions surrounding the incident and its wider consequences for the fighters involved remain.
