Usman Nurmagomedov has become the center of a major mixed martial arts controversy after a violent confrontation with former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili at a hotel in Abu Dhabi. The incident, which was captured on video and widely circulated online, prompted police action and resulted in 10 people being arrested.
Abu Dhabi Police confirmed on November 12 that eight people involved in the fight had been arrested, along with two others accused of filming the incident. Authorities said the confrontation followed previous disputes between the individuals involved.
The incident happened on November 11 while Dvalishvili was conducting a media interview in a hotel lobby ahead of the Real American Freestyle (RAF) Abu Dhabi event. Video footage circulating online appeared to show Nurmagomedov approaching the Georgian fighter from behind before striking him across the face.
The confrontation quickly escalated into a physical fight involving members of both groups. Dvalishvili later shared footage showing his bloodied face while receiving medical attention.
The incident has raised questions about the fighters’ upcoming appearances, their long-running rivalry and the potential consequences for Nurmagomedov’s professional career.
What Happened Between Usman Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili in Abu Dhabi?
The confrontation took place at a hotel in Abu Dhabi while Dvalishvili was speaking during an interview connected to the upcoming RAF event.
Footage shared by former UFC champion Ilia Topuria appeared to show Nurmagomedov walking toward Dvalishvili with several other people. Nurmagomedov then appeared to slap the Georgian fighter, triggering a wider confrontation.
Dvalishvili later posted a video on social media describing what happened from his perspective. He claimed that Nurmagomedov and his associates approached him and his friend from behind and attacked them.
In his account, Dvalishvili said security personnel were holding him while other individuals continued striking him and his friend. He also questioned why the confrontation happened when the two groups were not evenly matched.
The former UFC champion described the incident as an ambush and challenged those involved to confront him directly rather than attacking from behind.
Dvalishvili also shared footage showing injuries to his face. He said he was doing well despite the incident and reassured his supporters that he was safe.
Abu Dhabi Police Arrest 10 People After the Fight
Abu Dhabi Police confirmed that 10 people had been arrested following the hotel confrontation involving individuals linked to the incident.
According to the police statement, eight people were arrested for their involvement in the fight. Two additional individuals were arrested for filming the incident, with authorities saying legal measures had been taken against them.
The police statement described the incident as a fight at the entrance of a hotel following previous disputes between the individuals involved.
Although reports and circulating footage have linked the confrontation to Usman Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili, authorities did not identify all 10 arrested individuals by name.
Separate reports from MMA journalist Ariel Helwani indicated that people from both sides, including Dvalishvili and his friend, had been taken to a police station for questioning.
MMA Mania also reported that Dvalishvili and his friend Saba Lazishvili remained detained, citing a social media statement from Lazishvili’s brother. He said they could be held for up to 48 hours before a judge decided what would happen next.
The distinction between police questioning, detention and formal criminal charges remains important. Authorities had not publicly announced specific charges against the fighters in the initial reports.
Who Is Usman Nurmagomedov? Career, Record and MMA Background
Usman Nurmagomedov is a Russian mixed martial artist known for his lightweight performances and association with the Nurmagomedov fighting family.
Born on April 17, 1998, he is a cousin of former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. He has developed his own reputation in professional MMA through an unbeaten run and championship performances.
Nurmagomedov competed under the Bellator banner before continuing his career with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). He became one of the leading names in the promotion’s lightweight division.
His fighting style combines wrestling, grappling and striking. Like several fighters associated with the Dagestani MMA system, he has developed a strong foundation in wrestling and ground control.
Before the Abu Dhabi controversy, Nurmagomedov was widely viewed as one of the most sought-after lightweight fighters outside the UFC.
His professional record and championship achievements have made him an important figure in discussions about potential UFC signings and future matchups against established lightweight contenders.
Why Are Usman Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili Feuding?
The latest confrontation did not emerge without a history of tension between the two camps.
The rivalry is connected to the relationship between Dvalishvili and Usman’s brother, Umar Nurmagomedov. The two fighters faced each other at UFC 311 in January 2025, when Dvalishvili successfully defended his bantamweight championship.
Dvalishvili won the fight by unanimous decision after five rounds. The result was an important moment in his championship career and a significant setback for Umar’s title ambitions.
The rivalry continued through exchanges between members of the two camps. Tensions reportedly increased again following a separate confrontation involving people associated with the fighters.
Although Usman was not the opponent in the UFC 311 title fight, his connection to Umar and the wider Nurmagomedov team has placed him in the middle of the dispute.
The Abu Dhabi hotel incident has now taken that rivalry beyond verbal exchanges and into a physical confrontation that has attracted international attention.
What Is Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Connection to Usman?
Khabib Nurmagomedov is one of the most recognizable names in MMA history and a central figure in the fighting community from Dagestan, Russia.
Usman is Khabib’s cousin and has been associated with the same wider training environment that helped produce several successful fighters.
Khabib retired from professional MMA in 2020 after defeating Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. He finished his career with an undefeated 29-0 record and became one of the most successful lightweight champions in UFC history.
Following his retirement, Khabib remained involved in the sport as a coach and mentor. He has continued supporting fighters from his team, including Umar and Usman.
The Abu Dhabi incident has therefore attracted attention beyond the two fighters directly involved. It has also drawn reactions from people connected to the wider Dagestani and Georgian MMA communities.
However, the actions of individual fighters should not automatically be attributed to other members of their family or training teams.
Is Usman Nurmagomedov Joining the UFC After Leaving PFL?
Nurmagomedov’s professional future was already attracting considerable attention before the Abu Dhabi incident.
He had completed his contractual commitments with the PFL and was widely reported to be available for negotiations with other promotions.
The Russian lightweight was considered a major potential addition to the UFC roster because of his championship experience, unbeaten record and connection to the Nurmagomedov fighting legacy.
UFC president Dana White had previously indicated that the promotion was interested in Usman. This increased speculation about a possible move to the world’s biggest MMA organization.
However, the hotel confrontation has introduced a new complication into those discussions.
Any potential UFC agreement could now attract additional scrutiny because of the incident and the ongoing police investigation. Questions about conduct, disciplinary action and contractual obligations could become relevant.
As of November 12, 2026, there was no official announcement confirming that Nurmagomedov had signed a UFC contract or that the organization had permanently ruled out signing him.
Will Merab Dvalishvili Fight at RAF Abu Dhabi?
The confrontation also created uncertainty around Dvalishvili’s scheduled appearance at Real American Freestyle’s Abu Dhabi event.
The Georgian fighter was expected to compete against Brazilian veteran Marlon Moraes on Saturday, November 14, at the Etihad Arena.
The event marks an important appearance for RAF as the freestyle wrestling promotion expands its presence in the Middle East.
Dvalishvili had been scheduled to participate in the event before the hotel incident. However, the injuries visible in his social media videos and the police proceedings raised questions about whether he would be able to compete.
His medical condition and legal situation could influence the final decision regarding his participation.
Nurmagomedov was not scheduled to fight Dvalishvili at the event. His presence in Abu Dhabi was connected to the wider Nurmagomedov camp and the event involving his brother Umar.
The RAF event has consequently faced additional attention because of the confrontation involving two prominent names from the MMA world.
Ilia Topuria Reacts to the Usman Nurmagomedov Incident
Former UFC two-division champion Ilia Topuria also entered the controversy after sharing footage of the confrontation.
Topuria, who has a close connection with Dvalishvili, criticized the people involved in the attack and questioned their conduct.
He described the incident as unacceptable and said those responsible should be held accountable for their actions.
His post helped bring wider attention to the footage, which quickly spread across MMA-related social media accounts and sports news platforms.
The incident also attracted reactions from other fighters, including Sean Strickland, who called for serious consequences for those involved.
The growing reaction from prominent MMA figures has increased pressure on the relevant sporting organizations to address the incident.
Could the Abu Dhabi Incident Affect Usman Nurmagomedov’s MMA Career?
The incident could become an important moment in Nurmagomedov’s professional career, particularly because of his reported availability as a free agent.
A potential UFC move would represent a major opportunity for the lightweight fighter. However, the police investigation and any possible legal consequences could influence discussions about his future.
Sports organizations generally have to consider more than a fighter’s competitive record when evaluating major contracts. Professional conduct, contractual responsibilities and legal developments can also become relevant.
For Nurmagomedov, the immediate priority is the outcome of the Abu Dhabi proceedings and any official statements from his representatives or the promotions involved.
For Dvalishvili, the situation involves both his physical recovery and the possibility of competing at RAF Abu Dhabi.
The police confirmation of 10 arrests has transformed what began as a hotel confrontation into a major development involving two internationally recognized MMA fighters.
