A physical altercation occurred between two prominent mixed martial arts figures in an Abu Dhabi hotel lobby on Wednesday, November 11. PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov confronted and slapped former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili during an interview setup, triggering a chaotic melee.
The Incident and Video Footage
Footage shared across various social media platforms, including a clip posted by Championship Rounds on X, captured Dvalishvili talking to a camera inside a high-end hotel lobby. Usman Nurmagomedov approached from behind accompanied by several individuals, engaged him briefly, and struck him across the face before a full-scale brawl broke out.
Dvalishvili and Usman’s brother, Umar, are both scheduled to step into the ring for separate bouts at RAF Abu Dhabi on Saturday, November 14.
Reactions and Prior History
Following the altercation, Dvalishvili shared a video on Instagram showing a bloody face while receiving medical attention for his injuries. Alongside a friend, he directed harsh language at Nurmagomedov and his associates, labeling them as cowards and snakes.
“What kind of fighters you guys are? What kind of man does this?” Dvalishvili said. “If you want to talk or fight, let’s do it the real way. … We bleed, we fight, we win, but you guys are just sneaky guys. You guys not real men. It shows you guys’ character. It shows you guys not real men. … If you want to fight, fight.”
The tension builds upon previous encounters between the camps. Dvalishvili defeated Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 in January 2025. Furthermore, Dvalishvili slapped Usman Nurmagomedov’s associate Ahmed Gadzhimagomedov backstage at RAF Georgia in August.
Mixed martial arts reporter Ariel Helwani reported on Wednesday evening that all parties connected to the hotel altercation remained detained by local law enforcement authorities.
