Abu Dhabi police have detained eight people following a violent clash outside a hotel involving former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili and PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov. The incident, captured on video and circulated online Wednesday, shows a bloodied Dvalishvili claiming he was attacked from behind by Nurmagomedov and others.
The authorities confirmed the arrests on their official Instagram account, stating the eight individuals were involved in the fight at the hotel entrance. Two of those arrested were reportedly filming the altercation. "The General Command of Abu Dhabi Police was able to arrest 8 persons involved in a fight that took place at the entrance of a hotel, on the background of previous differences between them," the statement read. It added that the two people filming the incident had been detained and referred to the General Prosecutor for legal proceedings.
Abu Dhabi police described the clash as stemming from earlier disagreements among the parties involved. They pledged to maintain public order and take firm action against behavior that threatens safety or violates laws. "Abu Dhabi police stressed its keenness to maintain public security and order, and deal firmly with behaviors that would violate security or endanger the safety of others," the post said. It urged adherence to laws and responsible conduct.
The brawl has cast doubt on the lineup for Saturday’s Russian Abu Dhabi Fighting (RAF) wrestling event, where Dvalishvili is scheduled to face former WSOF bantamweight champion Marlon Moraes. UFC bantamweight Umar Nurmagomedov, Usman’s brother who was seen slapping Dvalishvili at the start of the brawl, is set to wrestle UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber at the same event.
Neither Dvalishvili nor either Nurmagomedov brother appeared at Thursday’s RAF press conference, according to MMA Fighting. Chad Bronstein, RAF co-founder, said the status of the matches hadn’t been decided. He confirmed Usman Nurmagomedov would be banned from attending the event. "We're hoping that the situation gets resolved, sooner than later," Bronstein said. "And obviously, Usman will not be attending our event on Saturday night."
The tension between the two camps dates back months and intensified after Dvalishvili defeated Umar Nurmagomedov in a UFC bantamweight title fight early last year. Since then, the fighters have exchanged insults publicly. This week’s confrontation is the most serious incident to date, resulting in visible injuries and bloodshed.
The videos show Dvalishvili with facial injuries, accusing Usman Nurmagomedov of attacking him from behind along with several others. The police report described the fight as involving a prior dispute, but did not specify details of the disagreements.
The arrests include all parties involved in the fight as well as those who recorded it, reflecting Abu Dhabi police’s approach to maintaining security and enforcing the law in public spaces. The legal process is ongoing, with those detained handed over to prosecutors.
The fallout from the hotel incident now threatens to disrupt the RAF wrestling event, which has attracted attention for its mix of MMA and wrestling stars. Dvalishvili and the Nurmagomedov brothers’ presence is central to the card’s appeal, raising questions about whether the matches will proceed as planned.
At the time of writing, no official decision has been made about the future of the scheduled bouts involving Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov. Organisers continue to monitor the situation amid the legal and disciplinary developments following the hotel brawl.
According to Yahoo Sports.