Merab Dvalishvili and Usman Nurmagomedov fight in Abu Dhabi hotel brawl

Former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili and PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov were involved in a physical altercation in Abu Dhabi. BBC News and CBS Sports both reported that the incident occurred during a media promotional event. CBS Sports reported that Dvalishvili accused Nurmagomedov and his team of assaulting him and a friend. [1][2][3]

CBS Sports reported that former UFC champion Ilia Topuria posted a video of the attack online and called those involved cowards. Dvalishvili also posted a video on Wednesday showing himself and a friend receiving medical treatment, with both of them visibly bloodied and bruised. Former UFC champion Ilia Topuria claimed that Nurmagomedov was detained following the ambush, according to MMA Mania. [2][4]

The conflict stems from earlier tensions between the two camps. BBC News reported that Dvalishvili previously called Umar Nurmagomedov, the older brother of Usman Nurmagomedov, spoiled before defeating him in a 2025 title fight. BBC News and CBS Sports also noted a previous altercation between the two teams prior to an event in July. [1][2]

UFC champion Islam Makhachev defended the actions of the Nurmagomedov team on social media. BBC News reported that Makhachev questioned why people were silent when Dvalishvili previously struck a wrestler. Meanwhile, MMA fighter Sean Strickland called for everyone involved in the hotel attack to be banned for life, according to Forbes. [1][6][7]