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Merab Dvalishvili Left Pouring with Blood as He Claims Usman Nurmagomedov and Team Attacked Him
On Wednesday, November 11, former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili was attacked by PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov and associates in an Abu Dhabi hotel lobby while filming an interview.
Tensions stem from Dvalishvili's unanimous decision victory over Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 in January 2025, which reignited a long-running rivalry between the two fighters.
Footage shows Usman approaching Dvalishvili from behind and striking him before a brawl involving approximately 20 men broke out; Dvalishvili alleged his friend Saba Lazishvili was also attacked.
Although former UFC two-division champion Ilia Topuria claimed Usman and associates were detained, no official charges were confirmed; Dvalishvili remains scheduled to wrestle former WSOF champion Marlon Moraes at Saturday's RAF Abu Dhabi event.
The incident potentially jeopardizes Usman's expected transition to the UFC as a free agent, with observers questioning whether the promotion will reconsider signing him following the altercation.
Usman Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili had been sparring with each other in the media for quite some time, and then they met face to face in a hotel in the Emirates.
Six members of Team Nurmagomedov were sentenced to six months in prison following a feud involving former UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili at a hotel in Abu Dhabi, ESPN reports.
The Russian fighter Usman Nurmagomedov was arrested in the UAE for six months because of a fight with Georgian fighter Merab Dulishvili, who informed the source of TASS.