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Nurmagomedov and Dvalishvili Clash in Abu Dhabi Hotel Fight

Former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili and PFL lightweight titleholder Usman Nurmagomedov were involved in a heated confrontation in a hotel lobby in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. The incident escalated quickly after Nurmagomedov was seen slapping Dvalishvili from behind, sparking a brawl involving their teams.

Details of the Incident

The altercation was caught on video, showing Nurmagomedov approaching Dvalishvili and delivering a slap that led to a chaotic fight. Dvalishvili, who is 35 years old, was preparing for a bout at the Real American Freestyle (RAF) event in the UAE this Saturday, where he will face Brazilian fighter Marlon Moraes.

Recovering from the incident, Dvalishvili shared a TikTok video while receiving medical treatment for his injured face. He called Nurmagomedov and his team "snakes," questioning their conduct.

"What a sneaky way, guys," Dvalishvili said. "What kind of fighters are you? What kind of man does this? If you want to try, let’s do it the real way."

Background Tensions and Reactions

Dvalishvili has history with the Nurmagomedov family, having defeated Usman's older brother, Umar Nurmagomedov, in a bantamweight title match in 2025. Umar is set to fight American Urijah Faber at the same RAF event on Saturday.

Earlier clashes between their camps took place before the RAF event in July, possibly laying the groundwork for the recent dispute. UFC champion Islam Makhachev, a close friend and training partner of the Nurmagomedov brothers, commented on social media, suggesting that Dvalishvili started the trouble by striking a Dagestani wrestler unprovoked and insulting his mother.

"Why were you silent when Merab hit a Dagestani wrestler for nothing and hurt his honor?" Makhachev asked. "Merab started what happened today in his homeland by allowing himself to hit a guest and insulting his mother."

Two-weight UFC champion Ilia Topuria, a friend of Dvalishvili, posted the footage on X, claiming that Usman Nurmagomedov and those with him had been detained. Topuria expressed his disappointment:

"What a disgrace. A bunch of absolute cowards. I always thought you were a bunch of mediocre individuals. Now you’ve removed every last doubt. Honour, respect, and humility aren’t words you preach. They’re values you live by. And you’ve shown none of them."

Nurmagomedov's Status and RAF Context

After his last PFL fight, Nurmagomedov is a free agent and has been linked with a potential move to the UFC. Many MMA fighters participate in RAF events alongside their main careers, including names like Khamzat Chimaev, Arman Tsarukyan, and Colby Covington.

MMA Events and Schedule

  • RAF Event Date: Saturday, United Arab Emirates
  • Dvalishvili Opponent: Marlon Moraes (Brazil)
  • Umar Nurmagomedov Opponent: Urijah Faber (USA)

For more updates on MMA events and related stories, follow ongoing coverage from major sports outlets.

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