A shocking altercation between two of mixed martial arts' most prominent figures has sent ripples through the combat sports world. Former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili and PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov were involved in a mass brawl at a hotel in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, according to multiple reports and video footage that surfaced online.
The Incident
The video, which quickly circulated on social media, appears to show Nurmagomedov approaching Dvalishvili from behind and slapping him. A chaotic scene ensued, with members of both fighters' teams joining the fray in the hotel lobby. The exact sequence of events remains unclear, but the footage has ignited a firestorm of reactions from fans and fellow fighters alike.
Dvalishvili, 35, later posted a video on TikTok while receiving treatment for a bloodied face, in which he called Nurmagomedov and his team "snakes." He said, "What a sneaky way, guys. What kind of fighters you guys are? What kind of man does this? If you want to try, let's do it the real way."
Background and Context
The bad blood between the two camps is not new. Dvalishvili had previously called Nurmagomedov's older brother, Umar, "spoiled" before defeating him in a bantamweight title fight in 2025. Umar Nurmagomedov is scheduled to face American Urijah Faber at Saturday's Real American Freestyle (RAF) event in the UAE. Dvalishvili is also set to compete at the same event, taking on Brazilian Marlon Moraes.
There was an earlier altercation between the two camps before a RAF event in July, and UFC champion Islam Makhachev, a close friend and training partner of the Nurmagomedovs, suggested that incident led to Wednesday's confrontation. In a social media post, Makhachev wrote, "Why were you silent when Merab hit a Dagestani wrestler for nothing and hurt his honor? Merab started what happened today in his homeland by allowing himself to hit a guest and insulting his mother."
Ilia Topuria, a two-weight UFC champion and friend of Dvalishvili, shared footage of the incident on X and wrote, "Usman has reportedly been detained, along with the cowards who were with him. What a disgrace. A bunch of absolute cowards. I always thought you were a bunch of mediocre individuals. Now you've removed every last doubt. Honour, respect, and humility aren't words you preach. They're values you live by. And you've shown none of them."
Implications
Nurmagomedov, 28, is currently a free agent after his last fight with the PFL and has been heavily linked with a move to the UFC. The incident could have ramifications for his career, especially if legal action is taken. Dvalishvili, a fan favorite known for his relentless pace and sportsmanship, now finds himself at the center of a controversy that has overshadowed the upcoming RAF event.
MMA fighters often compete in RAF events alongside their careers in larger promotions, with stars like Khamzat Chimaev, Arman Tsarukyan, and Colby Covington recently appearing in the promotion. The brawl has drawn widespread condemnation from the MMA community, with many calling for accountability and highlighting the need for professionalism.
As the sport grapples with the fallout, the focus will now shift to Saturday's event, where both fighters are scheduled to compete. Whether the altercation will affect their performances remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the rivalry between Dvalishvili and the Nurmagomedov camp has reached a boiling point.
