Eight individuals have been handed prison sentences following a chaotic mass brawl at an Abu Dhabi hotel involving mixed martial arts fighters Usman Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili, authorities confirmed. The altercation, which erupted on Wednesday, has drawn widespread attention and raised questions about security at high-profile sporting events in the region.
What Happened at the Hotel
Video footage of the incident appeared to show Russian fighter Nurmagomedov approaching Georgian former UFC bantamweight champion Dvalishvili from behind and slapping him. The confrontation quickly escalated into a wider fight involving members of both fighters' teams. Abu Dhabi police later confirmed that ten arrests were made in connection with the disturbance.
Sentences Handed Down
According to a social media statement from Abu Dhabi's judicial department, all ten defendants were convicted for their roles in the brawl. A report by Abu Dhabi news outlet The National provided further detail, noting that six of the defendants received six-month prison terms, were fined the equivalent of £62,000 each, and will be deported after serving their sentences. They were convicted of disturbing public security, causing panic, and endangering lives.
Two additional defendants received the same punishment, but for violating privacy by using information technology to film and publish footage of the brawl. The remaining two defendants were fined £10,200 each for disturbing public security and assaulting others. None of the defendants have been publicly named.
Dvalishvili Released
Real American Freestyle (RAF) co-founder Chad Bronstein stated that Dvalishvili has been released from custody. "I'm pleased to share that Merab Dvalishvili is back with us in Abu Dhabi," Bronstein said in a statement. "We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the relevant authorities in Abu Dhabi for their professionalism and support. We remain focused on moving forward and are pleased to have Merab back with us." BBC Sport has reached out to Abu Dhabi's judicial department for confirmation.
Fighters and Fallout
Dvalishvili, 35, had been scheduled to compete at the RAF event in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday against Brazilian Marlon Moraes. After the incident, he released a video calling Nurmagomedov, 28, and his team "snakes" while receiving treatment for a bloodied face.
Nurmagomedov was in Abu Dhabi to support his brother Umar, who was set to face American Urijah Faber at Saturday's event. The two teams had a previous altercation at a RAF event in July, which UFC champion Islam Makhachev, a close friend and training partner of the Nurmagomedovs, suggested led to Wednesday's brawl.
Nurmagomedov is the PFL lightweight champion but is currently out of contract after winning his last bout with the organization in July. He has been heavily linked with a move to the UFC, though on Friday, UFC president Dana White said he had not spoken to the Russian. White called the altercation "ridiculous" and "stupid," referring to those involved as "a bunch of idiots."
Broader Implications
The incident has cast a shadow over the weekend's sporting events in Abu Dhabi and highlighted the potential for tensions between rival camps to spill over into public spaces. Authorities have sent a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated, with swift convictions and severe penalties. As the fighters and their teams return home, the focus will likely shift to whether further disciplinary action will be taken by the relevant sporting bodies.
