Russian mixed martial arts fighter Usman Nurmagomedov and members of his entourage were reportedly involved in an altercation with Georgian fighter Merab Dvalishvili at a hotel in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, November 11.
The confrontation took place in the lobby of the Yas Hilton hotel while Dvalishvili was conducting a media interview with Saba Lazishvili ahead of his scheduled appearance at RAF Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Video footage widely circulated on social media appears to show Nurmagomedov approaching Dvalishvili and slapping him across the face. A physical confrontation subsequently broke out between Nurmagomedov’s associates and Dvalishvili and his companion.
The incident reportedly prompted local authorities to intervene, with several people involved taken into police custody for questioning.
Respected MMA journalist Ariel Helwani reported on X that everyone involved in the hotel confrontation remained detained by local authorities at the time of his update.
The incident has attracted widespread attention across the international combat sports community, particularly given the prominence of the fighters involved and the timing of the confrontation ahead of a major wrestling event in the UAE capital.
What happened at the Yas Hilton hotel?
The altercation unfolded while Dvalishvili was speaking to Saba Lazishvili during an interview in the hotel lobby.
Footage shared across social media shows Nurmagomedov approaching the Georgian fighter with members of his entourage. After exchanging words, Nurmagomedov appears to slap Dvalishvili, triggering a physical confrontation.
Several individuals subsequently become involved in the incident, with security personnel attempting to separate those involved.
Following the confrontation, Dvalishvili shared videos on his social media accounts showing injuries to his face and receiving medical attention for a cut.
In his account of the incident, Dvalishvili alleged that Nurmagomedov and members of his group approached him and his young companion from behind and began punching them.
He also claimed that security personnel were holding him back while members of the opposing group continued attacking them.
The footage and Dvalishvili’s account have intensified discussions about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Police reportedly detain those involved
The confrontation has also drawn the attention of Abu Dhabi authorities.
According to MMA journalist Ariel Helwani, everyone involved in the hotel altercation was still being detained by local authorities when he shared his update.
The National reported that police were alerted because the incident took place in a public area and was captured on camera.
Importantly, The National also reported that Dvalishvili was not the person pressing charges.
The newspaper said it was making its own enquiries to verify the reports surrounding the detention and the circumstances of the incident.
At the time of reporting, no detailed official police statement confirming the outcome of the questioning or any formal charges had been made public.
Being questioned or detained in connection with an incident does not, by itself, establish criminal responsibility.
Ilia Topuria reacts to the reported detention
The confrontation prompted a strong reaction from UFC fighter Ilia Topuria, who is a close friend of Dvalishvili.
Topuria took to X to comment on the incident, saying Nurmagomedov had reportedly been detained alongside the individuals who accompanied him.
He also criticised the alleged conduct of the group, questioning their actions and emphasising the importance of honour, respect and humility in professional sport.
His comments added another dimension to the controversy, bringing further attention from prominent names in the MMA community.
The incident has since become a major talking point among fighters, commentators and fans, with questions being raised about professional conduct outside the competition arena.
Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov camps have a history of tension
The Abu Dhabi confrontation comes against the background of an existing rivalry between the fighters and their respective camps.
Dvalishvili previously faced Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 in January 2025, successfully defending his UFC bantamweight championship with a unanimous decision victory.
Tensions between the camps have resurfaced in recent months, including a previous confrontation involving Dvalishvili and an associate of Umar ahead of UFC Georgia.
The latest incident at the Yas Hilton hotel has brought those tensions back into the spotlight.
Usman Nurmagomedov, 28, is an established MMA fighter with an unbeaten record in his professional career apart from one no-contest result. He has won 22 of his 23 fights.
His most recent appearance was in July, when he recorded a first-round knockout victory over Archie Colgan to defend his PFL lightweight title.
Nurmagomedov is currently a free agent after completing his contract with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Reports have linked him with a possible move to the UFC.
RAF Abu Dhabi: Dvalishvili’s scheduled fight on Saturday
The confrontation occurred just days before the first RAF event in the Middle East.
Dvalishvili is scheduled to face Brazilian fighter Marlon Moraes in a catchweight crossover wrestling match at Etihad Arena on Saturday, November 14.
The event will feature several recognised names from the MMA world competing under freestyle wrestling rules.
Nurmagomedov is not part of the official RAF Abu Dhabi fight card. He travelled to the UAE to support his older brother, Umar Nurmagomedov, who is scheduled to face former UFC fighter Urijah Faber.
The hotel incident has raised questions about whether the confrontation could affect the scheduled appearances of the fighters.
RAF organisers have been contacted by The National for comment. According to the newspaper, a representative said officials would address the incident at Thursday’s pre-match press conference.
Usman Nurmagomedov’s future in professional MMA
Beyond the immediate controversy, Nurmagomedov’s professional future has also attracted attention.
The Russian fighter is among the most sought-after free agents in MMA following the end of his PFL contract.
Reports have indicated that he declined an offer worth approximately $2 million to re-sign with the organisation. His exclusive negotiating period with the PFL reportedly expired on October 29.
A potential move to the UFC has since become a major talking point.
When asked about the possibility of signing Nurmagomedov, UFC president Dana White previously told The National: “We’re interested.”
However, no confirmed UFC signing had been announced at the time of the hotel incident.
Abu Dhabi sporting event under international spotlight
Abu Dhabi has established itself as an important destination for international combat sports, regularly hosting major MMA and wrestling events.
The reported hotel confrontation has now placed additional attention on RAF’s first Middle East event, with the sporting community awaiting further clarification from the authorities and event organisers.
The immediate questions concern the circumstances of the confrontation, the status of those reportedly detained and whether the scheduled fights will proceed as planned.
For now, the incident remains under scrutiny, with no publicly confirmed outcome of the police questioning.
