Usman Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili clashed in a wild Abu Dhabi hotel brawl on Nov. 11. What the viral footage shows, who reacted, and what happens next.
Key Facts: Usman Nurmagomedov Merab Dvalishvili Brawl
- What happened: Usman Nurmagomedov and several associates allegedly attacked Merab Dvalishvili and his friend in an Abu Dhabi hotel lobby on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, while Dvalishvili was giving an interview for Real American Freestyle (RAF).
- The footage: Video posted by Ilia Topuria shows Nurmagomedov approaching Dvalishvili from behind and slapping him before a brawl breaks out. Dvalishvili was left bloodied and was treated by medics.
- The detention claim: Topuria says Usman has been detained. That claim is unconfirmed — no authority has confirmed an arrest.
- The event: Dvalishvili says he is fine and still plans to wrestle Marlon Moraes at RAF Abu Dhabi on Saturday, November 14.
- The backstory: The bad blood traces to UFC 311 in January 2025, when Dvalishvili beat Usman’s older brother Umar and handed him his first professional loss.
The Usman Nurmagomedov Merab Dvalishvili feud exploded into real violence on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Dvalishvili says Nurmagomedov and several associates attacked him from behind. It happened in an Abu Dhabi hotel lobby while he was giving an interview. Video of the clash spread across social media within hours, pulling in some of the biggest names in combat sports.
Dvalishvili, 35, is a former UFC bantamweight champion. Nurmagomedov, 28, is an undefeated former Bellator and PFL lightweight champion now in free agency. Both were in Abu Dhabi for different fight-week events.
What Happened in the Abu Dhabi Hotel Brawl?
Dvalishvili was sitting for an interview with Real American Freestyle. Nurmagomedov walked up behind him. He said “I have a question for you” in Russian, then slapped him across the face. A wild brawl broke out in seconds.
Merab’s friend, 21-year-old Georgian wrestler Saba Lazishvili, jumped in to defend him. Lazishvili had reportedly never thrown a punch in his life. Yet he dropped two men during the melee, according to fight reports. Even so, the two Georgians were heavily outnumbered. Dvalishvili later claimed the group numbered around 20 men.
The video first surfaced through Ilia Topuria, a close friend of Dvalishvili. He later deleted his post, but clips had already spread through MMA accounts.
Soon after, Dvalishvili posted his own video while medics treated his bloody face. He did not hold back. “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,” he wrote. “Security was holding me — they kept kicking us when we were down like losers.”
In the video, he called the attackers “sneaky” and challenged Nurmagomedov to fight “the real way.” Despite his injuries, he reassured fans: “I’m fine. This is nothing for me.”
Why Did Usman Nurmagomedov Attack Merab Dvalishvili?
Nurmagomedov has not spoken publicly about the incident. No confirmed motive has emerged from his side.
However, the rivalry between the two camps runs deep. UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has already offered his version of events.
Makhachev defended Nurmagomedov. He blamed Dvalishvili for starting the feud back in Georgia. He says Merab hit a Dagestani wrestler and insulted his mother. “Why were you silent when Merab hit a Dagestani wrestler for nothing and hurt his honor?” he asked.
The roots go back to UFC 311 on January 18, 2025. That night, Dvalishvili defended his bantamweight title against Umar Nurmagomedov, Usman’s older brother. He won by unanimous decision and handed Umar his first professional defeat. The loss stung the Nurmagomedov camp, and the tension never fully cooled.
Georgia vs Dagestan Rivalry Timeline
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| Jan 18, 2025 | UFC 311: Merab Dvalishvili beats Umar Nurmagomedov by unanimous decision and hands him his first pro loss. |
| Oct 2026 | Dvalishvili loses to Petr Yan at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi. The same month, he trains at the Nurmagomedov gym and says things are “good” with Umar. |
| Nov 2026 | Dvalishvili clashes with Umar’s associate Ahmed Gadzhimagomedov at an RAF event in Georgia. |
| Nov 11, 2026 | Usman Nurmagomedov and associates allegedly attack Dvalishvili and his friend in an Abu Dhabi hotel lobby. Footage goes viral. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | RAF Abu Dhabi (scheduled): Dvalishvili vs Marlon Moraes, and Umar Nurmagomedov vs Urijah Faber at Etihad Arena. |
Who Reacted to the Usman Nurmagomedov Merab Dvalishvili Brawl?
The reaction came fast and split the fight world. Topuria led the charge for Dvalishvili. He posted the footage with a furious caption: “You’re a bunch of cowards, and you’ll be held accountable for what you’ve done. You’re anything but real men.” He also claimed Usman had been detained, though that part remains unconfirmed.
Conor McGregor also weighed in, referencing his own infamous dolly-throwing incident with Khabib Nurmagomedov. Sean Strickland, meanwhile, criticized Usman for attacking Dvalishvili when he was not looking.
MMA journalist Ariel Helwani, meanwhile, reported that everyone involved went to the police station for questioning. He added that Merab is not pressing charges. Police brought them in because the fight happened in public and was caught on camera.
Was Usman Nurmagomedov Detained?
Topuria wrote on X: “Usman has reportedly been detained, along with the cowards who were with him.” No official source has confirmed that claim.
MMA Mania reported that neither Abu Dhabi authorities nor RAF officials had publicly addressed any arrests. Bloody Elbow noted that the source and accuracy of Topuria’s information were unclear. Uncrowned said it could not independently confirm the detentions. In short, treat the claim as a report, not a fact, until an authority confirms it.
The uncertainty also hangs over Usman’s future. His PFL contract has expired, and he is now a free agent. Rumors swirled earlier this week that he had agreed to terms with the UFC. An announcement was expected at UFC 334 this weekend, but there is no official confirmation of a deal. UFC CEO Dana White is expected to comment this weekend.
What Happens Next for Merab Dvalishvili and Usman Nurmagomedov?
For Dvalishvili, the show goes on. He is still scheduled to wrestle former UFC title challenger Marlon Moraes at RAF Abu Dhabi. The match is set for Saturday, November 14, at Etihad Arena. Umar Nurmagomedov is also on that card, booked to wrestle Urijah Faber. Whether the brawl changes any of those plans remains to be seen.
For Usman, meanwhile, a confirmed arrest could complicate his free agency and any UFC move. Until an official statement lands, the footage speaks for itself. The fight world is still arguing over what it means.
The Georgia-Dagestan rivalry is no longer just a sporting feud. It spilled out of the cage and into a hotel lobby, in front of cameras, days before a major event. CelebWatch will update this story as authorities, the UFC, or Nurmagomedov himself respond. For more fight coverage, read our UFC fighter profile on Marcin Tybura. In other sports news this week, Yella Beezy was found guilty of capital murder. Virginia Madsen’s son Jack Sabato was also arrested in a fatal Alaska hit-and-run.
Sources
- Bloody Elbow — Islam Makhachev claims Merab Dvalishvili ‘started’ it in reaction to Usman Nurmagomedov’s attack
- MMA Mania — Topuria says Usman detained after Merab attack
- BJ Penn — Merab Dvalishvili reacts to Usman Nurmagomedov brawl after footage goes viral
