A physical altercation involving former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili and MMA fighter Usman Nurmagomedov occurred in a five-star hotel lobby in Abu Dhabi on November 11, 2026, leaving Dvalishvili bloodied and requiring medical attention. The incident unfolded while Dvalishvili was recording an interview in the hotel lobby.
Authorities in Abu Dhabi have detained all individuals involved in the altercation, according to reporting from journalist Ariel Helwani on X. Multiple angles of the incident, shared on social media, show a group of men approaching Dvalishvili from behind before one individual slapped him across the face, initiating the confrontation. Dvalishvili was subsequently struck and kicked while being held back by a companion. The group included Usman Nurmagomedov and at least five others, based on available footage.
Dvalishvili posted a video on social media showing himself receiving medical treatment, with visible bruising and blood. In the caption, he stated: “Was doing an interview for RAF in hotel lobby and Usman and his buddies came up from behind and started punching me and my young friend. Security was holding me—they kept kicking us when we were down like losers.” He added, “What a sneaky way… You guys came like snakes from behind. What kind of fighters are you guys? What kind of man does this?”
The altercation occurred days before Dvalishvili’s scheduled fight in Abu Dhabi on November 16, 2026. Dvalishvili, who has a history with the Nurmagomedov family after defeating Usman’s brother Umar in a previous UFC bout, described the attackers as prepared and cowardly. Security personnel were present during the incident and appeared to intervene to separate the parties.
Authorities have not publicly detailed the circumstances leading to the altercation or charges filed against those involved. The incident has drawn attention due to its timing and the involvement of high-profile MMA athletes.