# Nurmagomedov slaps Dvalishvili to spark hotel brawl

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/nurmagomedov-slaps-dvalishvili-to-spark-hotel-brawl/
- Published: 2026-11-12T08:08:01+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-12T09:23:56+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC Sport (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/mixed-martial-arts/articles/cq0l38rw2w7ro?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Sport

## Key points

- Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov were involved in a hotel brawl in Abu Dhabi.
- Footage appeared to show Nurmagomedov slap Dvalishvili from behind.
- Both fighters are connected to Saturday’s RAF event in the UAE.

## Summary

Former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili and PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov were involved in a brawl at a hotel in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. Video appeared to show Nurmagomedov approach Dvalishvili from behind and slap him, before members of both fighters’ teams joined the fight; the incident matters because Dvalishvili is due to compete in the UAE on Saturday.

Dvalishvili, 35, is scheduled to face Brazilian Marlon Moraes at a Real American Freestyle event, where Nurmagomedov’s brother Umar is also due to fight. Dvalishvili later posted a video showing his bloodied face and accused Nurmagomedov’s team of acting sneakily. UFC champion Islam Makhachev linked the clash to an earlier dispute between the camps, while UFC two-weight champion Ilia Topuria said Nurmagomedov had reportedly been detained.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.