Former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili alleges he was attacked by Usman Nurmagomedov and a group of men in an Abu Dhabi hotel lobby, as reports emerge that individuals involved were detained and questioned by police.
A longstanding rivalry between Merab Dvalishvili and the Nurmagomedov camp has escalated beyond the cage following a violent confrontation in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
Dvalishvili, the former UFC bantamweight champion, accused undefeated lightweight contender Usman Nurmagomedov and several associates of attacking him and a friend inside a hotel lobby while he was participating in an interview ahead of this weekend’s Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling event.
Video footage circulating on social media shows a chaotic confrontation involving multiple individuals, with security personnel attempting to separate those involved. Dvalishvili subsequently appeared in a video discussing the incident, alleging that he and his companion were outnumbered and attacked from behind.
The confrontation has drawn reactions from several prominent figures in mixed martial arts, including UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria, whose opposing statements have added another dimension to the controversy.
Reports have since emerged that Nurmagomedov and other individuals were detained and questioned by police in Abu Dhabi, although no official confirmation of criminal charges has been made publicly available.
Dvalishvili Accuses Nurmagomedov of Coordinated Attack
According to Dvalishvili, the incident occurred while he was conducting an interview in the lobby of an Abu Dhabi hotel.
The Georgian fighter alleged that Nurmagomedov approached him from behind alongside several other men, triggering a physical confrontation that quickly escalated.
In a statement posted to X, Dvalishvili claimed that the group continued attacking even after security personnel intervened.
He later questioned why professional fighters would approach a confrontation in such a manner rather than settle their differences directly.
Dvalishvili estimated that as many as 20 individuals were involved, although that number has not been independently verified. The available footage captures portions of the altercation but does not conclusively establish how the confrontation began or the precise involvement of every individual.
Despite the incident, Dvalishvili reassured supporters that he was physically okay.
The allegations have placed Usman Nurmagomedov under scrutiny at a significant point in his professional career. The former Bellator and PFL lightweight champion is currently a free agent, with speculation surrounding a potential move to the UFC.
A Rivalry Dating Back to UFC 311
The hostility between Dvalishvili and Team Nurmagomedov predates Wednesday’s incident.
At UFC 311 in January 2025, Dvalishvili successfully defended his bantamweight championship against Umar Nurmagomedov, earning a unanimous decision victory after five rounds.
The contest followed months of verbal exchanges between the two fighters, and tensions continued even after the championship bout.
Earlier this year, Dvalishvili was involved in a separate backstage confrontation with Ahmed Gadzhimagomedov, a friend and training partner of the Nurmagomedov camp, during an RAF event in Tbilisi, Georgia.
That encounter reportedly involved Dvalishvili slapping Gadzhimagomedov following a heated exchange concerning Umar Nurmagomedov.
The incident became another source of friction between the two camps, with public criticism and accusations continuing in the months that followed.
Wednesday’s altercation in Abu Dhabi represents the latest and potentially most serious escalation of that rivalry.
Islam Makhachev Defends Nurmagomedov Camp
While Dvalishvili has accused Usman Nurmagomedov and his associates of initiating the hotel confrontation, UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev offered a different perspective.
Makhachev, a longtime teammate of the Nurmagomedov family, suggested that Dvalishvili’s earlier actions contributed to the escalating hostility.
In a statement shared on Instagram and translated by Uncrowned, Makhachev questioned why critics had remained silent when Dvalishvili previously slapped a member of the Dagestani camp.
Makhachev argued that the earlier confrontation had insulted the fighter’s honor and claimed that Dvalishvili had initiated the broader dispute through his conduct.
His comments did not establish what specifically occurred inside the Abu Dhabi hotel, but they demonstrated the deep divisions surrounding the incident.
Makhachev’s position also highlighted the close relationship between the fighters involved. Khabib Nurmagomedov, the former UFC lightweight champion and Makhachev’s longtime mentor, is a cousin of both Usman and Umar Nurmagomedov.
Ilia Topuria Condemns Incident as Reports of Police Questioning Emerge
Former UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria publicly condemned the confrontation, criticizing those allegedly responsible for the attack on Merab Dvalishvili.
Topuria initially shared footage of the altercation before removing the video from his social media account. He subsequently claimed that Usman Nurmagomedov and several others involved had been detained.
Further developments emerged on Thursday, November 12, when The National reported that Nurmagomedov and other individuals had reportedly been detained and questioned by police in Abu Dhabi following the hotel confrontation.
The report also referenced information from MMA journalist Ariel Helwani regarding the alleged detentions.
However, no official confirmation of criminal charges or formal arrests had been made publicly available at the time of reporting. The distinction between being questioned by authorities and facing criminal charges remains significant as details surrounding the incident continue to emerge.
Topuria, meanwhile, criticized the alleged attackers for what he viewed as a contradiction between their actions and the values of honor, respect, and humility frequently emphasized by the Nurmagomedov camp.
The reported police involvement adds another dimension to an already controversial confrontation, particularly as Usman Nurmagomedov remains one of the most prominent free agents in mixed martial arts.
RAF Abu Dhabi Event Faces Uncertainty
The confrontation occurred just days before Saturday’s Real American Freestyle event in Abu Dhabi, where several high-profile MMA athletes are scheduled to compete in wrestling matches.
Dvalishvili is scheduled to face former UFC bantamweight contender Marlon Moraes, while Umar Nurmagomedov is expected to meet UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber.
Both matches were intended to bring established MMA names into the growing freestyle wrestling promotion.
However, the hotel altercation has raised questions about whether the incident could affect the event or the participation of those involved.
As of the initial reports, Dvalishvili indicated that he was okay, but there had been no confirmed announcement establishing whether either scheduled match would be changed.
What Comes Next for Usman Nurmagomedov?
Beyond the immediate controversy, the incident could have implications for Usman Nurmagomedov’s future in mixed martial arts.
The undefeated lightweight has established himself among the leading fighters outside the UFC through his championship runs in Bellator and the PFL.
As a free agent, Nurmagomedov has been widely discussed as a potential addition to the UFC’s lightweight division.
However, the publicity surrounding the Abu Dhabi confrontation, combined with reports of police questioning, raises questions about how prospective promotions might evaluate the situation.
Any potential disciplinary, legal, or contractual consequences remain speculative without further information from local authorities, event organizers, or the fighters’ representatives.
For Dvalishvili, the incident adds another chapter to an increasingly personal rivalry that has continued well beyond his championship victory over Umar Nurmagomedov.
With reports of police questioning now emerging, the confrontation has moved beyond a public dispute between rival MMA camps. The full circumstances of the altercation, including whether authorities will pursue any further action, remain unclear.
For now, the incident has intensified an already personal rivalry while raising questions about its potential consequences for those involved.
Follow HanPunch for the latest MMA news, exclusive fighter interviews, event coverage, and the stories shaping combat sports across Asia.
About The Author
Join the Conversation