Dvalishvili accuses Usman Nurmagomedov of hotel ambush in Abu Dhabi
Merab Dvalishvili says he was ambushed in a hotel lobby in Abu Dhabi by Usman Nurmagomedov and a group of about 20 people. The attack happened on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, while he was giving promotional interviews for RAF, a freestyle wrestling promotion, ahead of its card on Saturday, November 14.
The feud turned physical days before his scheduled bout against Brazilian fighter Marlon Moraes. In a video, Dvalishvili said the attackers kept kicking him and his companion after they fell to the floor, and he added that Umar Nurmagomedov also took part in the planned action.
How the lobby brawl unfolded, according to the fighter
Dvalishvili said the attack started abruptly while members of the press were recording in the lobby. He and his younger training partner suffered cuts to the head and face from punches thrown by the group, while private security staff tried to contain the melee.
Dvalishvili estimated that about 20 men took part in the assault. The group approached him from behind before the situation escalated, according to footage that former UFC champion Ilia Topuria posted and later deleted.
He said the kicks continued after he and his partner were on the ground, and that security was holding him at the time. Medics treated his wounds while Dvalishvili recorded a video, which he later shared on social media, using strong language to criticize the attackers.
Dvalishvili and his young friend were the direct targets of the lobby attack. He later said he had not suffered a serious injury and that he remained scheduled to wrestle Moraes on Saturday at RAF Abu Dhabi.
The bout is set for Saturday, November 14, 2026, at Etihad Arena on Yas Island. Moraes makes his debut with RAF, which holds its first event in the Middle East that day. One report said it was not yet clear whether Dvalishvili’s injuries would affect his participation.
Ilia Topuria, a former UFC champion and ally of Dvalishvili, shared recordings of the confusion between the two groups in the lobby. In a public statement, he condemned the conduct of the Dagestani fighters.
Feud dates to UFC 311 and clouds Usman’s contract talks
The rivalry started at UFC 311 in January 2025, when Dvalishvili beat Umar Nurmagomedov by unanimous decision to defend the UFC bantamweight title. In the months that followed, the two camps traded provocations in public statements and exchanges between coaching staff.
The lobby incident puts Usman Nurmagomedov’s talks in the international mixed martial arts market in doubt. A former lightweight champion of the Professional Fighters League (PFL), he is a free agent and was widely expected to sign directly with the UFC. He is 28 years old, according to reports.
As of the latest reports, neither Usman nor Umar Nurmagomedov had publicly responded to the accusations. The organizers of the Saturday event kept the weigh-in and fight schedule at the Etihad Arena, and RAF had not released an official statement on the incident.
