Ilia Topuria is back in the spotlight after old social media exchanges involving Usman Nurmagomedov and Tagir Ulanbekov resurfaced following the recent altercation involving Merab Dvalishvili in Abu Dhabi.
The messages date back to 2024, when Topuria became involved in a heated online disagreement with several fighters associated with the Dagestani MMA community. The exchanges included direct threats from Ulanbekov and Nurmagomedov.
UFC flyweight contender Tagir Ulanbekov reportedly warned Topuria to save money for dental treatment, suggesting that their meeting would leave his teeth damaged. Usman Nurmagomedov also challenged the Spanish-Georgian fighter to maintain the same confidence if they ever met.
The resurfaced comments have attracted renewed attention because both fighters were connected to the recent confrontation involving former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili and his friend Saba Lazishvili.
According to reports, the incident occurred inside a hotel lobby in Abu Dhabi on November 11. Dvalishvili alleged that Usman Nurmagomedov and several members of his group confronted and attacked him and Lazishvili.
Footage shared on social media showed a chaotic altercation involving multiple people. The complete circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain disputed, and not every detail visible in the circulating clips has been independently established.
Topuria, who is close friends with Dvalishvili, publicly criticized Nurmagomedov and the individuals involved. He shared footage of the incident and accused the group of acting without honor or respect.
In a strongly worded social media statement, the former UFC two-division champion described the alleged actions as cowardly. He also questioned how individuals who publicly promote humility and respect could become involved in such an incident.
Topuria later posted another message claiming that Usman Nurmagomedov had reportedly been detained alongside others. However, his statement should not be treated as independent confirmation of an arrest or legal outcome.
The earlier online dispute between Topuria and the Dagestani fighters had already attracted attention within the MMA community. The disagreement involved comments about fighting ability, personal respect and the possibility of a physical confrontation outside the Octagon.
Topuria had previously explained that he respected Khabib Nurmagomedov but did not share the same opinion of some fighters associated with his wider team. He questioned their attempts to intimidate him through online threats.
The resurfaced exchanges have now brought that disagreement back into public discussion, particularly because Tagir Ulanbekov and Usman Nurmagomedov were mentioned in connection with the Abu Dhabi incident.
For Topuria, the situation is also personal because of his friendship with Dvalishvili. Both fighters have represented Georgia on the international MMA stage and have developed strong connections within the sport.
Dvalishvili had traveled to Abu Dhabi for a Real American Freestyle wrestling event. He accused the group of approaching him from behind while he was involved in promotional activities at the hotel.
The Georgian fighter also shared images showing injuries following the confrontation. He publicly challenged those involved to settle their differences inside a sporting competition rather than through an alleged group attack.
Usman Nurmagomedov, the former Bellator lightweight champion, has established himself as one of the leading fighters outside the UFC. His competitive career and association with the Nurmagomedov fighting circle have made him a prominent name in mixed martial arts.
Tagir Ulanbekov competes in the UFC flyweight division and has built his reputation through wrestling-based grappling and technical performances. His resurfaced comments toward Topuria have added another dimension to the ongoing rivalry.
The latest developments have also raised questions about whether the long-running tension between Topuria and members of the Dagestani MMA community could eventually lead to further public exchanges.
Topuria has previously been linked to discussions about potential lightweight matchups, while Usman Nurmagomedov has continued building his career outside the UFC. There is currently no officially announced fight between the two.
