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MMA fighters, including former UFC champ, get into wild melee at Abu Dhabi hotel lobby
Former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili says Usman Nurmagomedov and several others attacked him in a hotel lobby in Abu Dhabi. The incident, captured in a video Dvalishvili posted, left him bloodied and has reignited tensions linked to his past rivalry with Usman’s brother, Umar.
Dvalishvili said he was recording an interview for Real American Freestyle when the group approached from behind and struck him and a friend; he accused them of kicking the pair while they were down. At least six people were reportedly involved. Dvalishvili beat Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 in January 2025, and was in Abu Dhabi ahead of a scheduled RAF bout with Marlon Moraes; Usman is the PFL lightweight champion.
In short
- Dvalishvili says Usman Nurmagomedov and others attacked him in Abu Dhabi.
- A video of the hotel-lobby incident shows Dvalishvili receiving treatment.
- The clash follows Dvalishvili’s past fight with Usman’s brother, Umar.
Explained simply
Mixed martial arts, or MMA, is a combat sport in which fighters use techniques such as punches, kicks and wrestling. The UFC and PFL are separate organisations that stage professional bouts; Merab Dvalishvili is a former UFC bantamweight champion, while Usman Nurmagomedov is the PFL lightweight champion.
Dvalishvili previously fought Usman’s brother, Umar Nurmagomedov, and beat him at UFC 311 in January 2025. The reported hotel incident has drawn attention partly because it involves fighters connected through that earlier rivalry, as well as a scheduled bout Dvalishvili was due to take part in at an Abu Dhabi wrestling event.