The Abu Dhabi Police General Command detained 8 people involved in a fight between Russian UFC fighter Usman Nurmagomedov and Georgian former UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili in Abu Dhabi during an interview in a hotel lobby, UNN reports.
Details
The Abu Dhabi Police General Command detained 8 people involved in a fight that took place near the entrance to one of the hotels. Two people who filmed the incident were also detained; the necessary legal measures were taken against them, and their case was referred to the Public Prosecution for further procedures in accordance with the applicable legislation
Police said that a fight broke out near the entrance to one of the hotels as a result of "past disputes between several individuals."
The specialized units of the Abu Dhabi Police immediately began procedures to respond to the incident; they managed to detain the participants in the fight, as well as two people who filmed the altercation, and took the necessary legal measures against them
Update
UNN reported that Russian UFC fighter Usman Nurmagomedov attacked Georgian former UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili from behind in Abu Dhabi during an interview in a hotel lobby.
Later, a video of the fight was released online, showing Dvalishvili giving an interview in the hotel lobby, after which Usman Nurmagomedov approaches the Georgian and punches him in the face, following which a scuffle breaks out in the lobby.
The video was posted by Spanish fighter of Georgian origin Ilia Topuria, but he later deleted it.
Although the police did not name the detainees, according to "Russian media," Nurmagomedov is among those detained and has reportedly been in custody for more than 14 hours.
It should be noted that after the altercation, the opinions of other fighters were divided. Some support Nurmagomedov, while others support Dvalishvili.
What may be the reason for the conflict
According to Russian media, relations between Merab Dvalishvili and the Nurmagomedov family have long been "tense." In January 2025, a fight took place between Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov, Usman Nurmagomedov's brother. Dvalishvili won and defended his championship title. The belt is currently held by Russian fighter Petr Yan, to whom Dvalishvili lost his last two bouts.
It should be noted that after that fight, Dvalishvili ended the bout with the words:
Thank you to everyone who was here. I am against war. Glory to Ukraine. Glory to Ukraine. Glory to Georgia. Glory to freedom. We all want to be free. No to war. Please stop the war. I am against war
On November 14, Dvalishvili was scheduled to take part in a bout against Brazilian fighter Marlon Moraes. It is not yet clear whether the altercation with Nurmagomedov will affect his participation in the RAF tournament.
What other fighters are saying
Russian mixed martial arts fighter Dmitry Bikryov said in comments to Russian media: "Overall, Usman went one-on-one and gave him a therapeutic slap. I would have done the same if someone had seriously provoked me or someone close to me. But... Why did everyone else attack him like jackals? That is unclear. Did Usman need help? Did he take a punch or was he being beaten? I didn't see that. They are only disgracing themselves."
UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland wrote on X: "Usman Nurmagomedov is the embodiment of the word \"b****... These guys all run around pretending to be tough, but act like damn dogs waiting to attack you when you're not looking…".
Is this typical Muslim behavior, or is he just a b****?
Former UFC fighter from England Darren Till noted on X: "The people who act the most humble are actually not the most humble. And always beware of those who walk around in large groups. To me, that is an obvious sign of weakness. Walking alone—regardless of where you are or who you are—is strength. As Mike Tyson said about Muhammad Ali's fight against Floyd Mayweather: \"People accepted Muhammad; they did not guard him, as was the case with Floyd\".
This is unacceptable; things must be called by their proper names. There was nothing sporting or dignified about this. Georgia's strength lies in unity and truth
Dvalishvili was also backed by another star compatriot, Georgian winger of French "PSG", for whom Illia Zabarnyi plays, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Merab, Saba. Thank you, and we are with you. Once again, you showed the world what it means to be Georgian, a man, and a human being. Unlike those who meanly and secretly tried to humiliate you from behind and on unequal terms, men do not act that way, and, of course, they failed—and they will never succeed against Georgians
Dvalishvili was also supported by the Georgian national team, which Ukraine is to face in the Nations League.
We are beside you, Merab—every member of our team. Everywhere and always
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor reacted to the mass brawl between the teams of Nurmagomedov and Dvalishvili, recalling his long-standing rivalry with the team of Khabib Nurmagomedov, who is Usman’s second cousin.
McGregor posted a photograph of a cart on social media, but used an image of Ilia Topuria instead of his own face, likely drawing a parallel with the events of 2018, when he himself found himself at the center of a high-profile incident involving Khabib's team.
In 2018, Conor McGregor attacked a bus carrying participants in UFC 223, including Khabib Nurmagomedov, thereby attempting to retaliate against the Russian for an insult directed at his friend Artem Lobov. This incident set in motion the promotion of the fight between Nurmagomedov and McGregor, which became the most lucrative bout in the history of mixed martial arts.
It should be recalled
Conor McGregor reported a successful knee operation following the injury he sustained in his fight with Max Holloway at UFC 329.