Six people have been sentenced to six months in prison, fined £62,000 each, and ordered to be deported following a mass brawl in Abu Dhabi involving MMA fighters Usman Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili. The incident unfolded on Wednesday at a hotel, where Nurmagomedov was seen on video slapping Dvalishvili from behind before a fight broke out between the two athletes and members of their teams.
Abu Dhabi police confirmed that ten arrests were made in connection with the incident. According to a social media post by Abu Dhabi’s judicial department, all ten defendants have been convicted for their involvement. Six of those received the six-month prison sentences and heavy fines for "disturbing public security, causing panic and endangering lives." They will face deportation once their sentences are served.
Two other defendants were given the same prison and fine penalties but for "violating privacy by using information technology to film and publish footage of the brawl." The final two individuals were fined £10,200 each for "disturbing public security and assaulting others." None of the convicted individuals have been publicly named.
The brawl was captured on video, showing Nurmagomedov approaching Dvalishvili from behind and slapping him. The altercation escalated quickly, drawing in their entourages and prompting a police response. The incident drew attention not only because of the fighters involved but also due to tensions reportedly dating back to a previous confrontation between their teams at a Real American Freestyle (RAF) event in July.
Chad Bronstein, co-founder of RAF, confirmed that Dvalishvili has been released from custody. "I'm pleased to share that Merab Dvalishvili is back with us in Abu Dhabi," Bronstein said. "We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the relevant authorities in Abu Dhabi for their professionalism and support. We remain focused on moving forward and are pleased to have Merab back with us."
Dvalishvili, 35, had been scheduled to fight Brazilian Marlon Moraes at the RAF event on Saturday in the United Arab Emirates. After the brawl, he posted a video showing his bloodied face while calling Nurmagomedov and his team "snakes."
Nurmagomedov, 28, was in Abu Dhabi to support his brother Umar, who was set to fight American Urijah Faber at the same RAF event. The Russian fighter is the current PFL lightweight champion but is out of contract after his last bout in July and has been linked to a possible move to the UFC.
UFC president Dana White commented on the incident on Friday, saying he had not spoken to Nurmagomedov. White described the altercation as "ridiculous" and "stupid," referring to those involved as "a bunch of idiots."
The Abu Dhabi judicial department has not issued further statements beyond the sentencing details shared via social media. BBC Sport has reached out for official confirmation. Meanwhile, the focus remains on the upcoming RAF event and how this off-ring conflict might affect the fighters' careers.
According to BBC Sports.
