Abu Dhabi Court Sentences 10 Over Hotel Brawl Involving Usman Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili

The Abu Dhabi Criminal Court has convicted 10 individuals following a mass brawl at a hotel involving mixed martial artists Usman Nurmagomedov, Merab Dvalishvili, and their teammates. The incident occurred prior to a wrestling event organized by Real American Freestyle (RAF), where Merab Dvalishvili and Usman Nurmagomedov’s brother, Umar, were scheduled to compete.

According to an announcement from the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, 10 defendants were convicted and sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and deportation from the country. ESPN reported that six members of Team Nurmagomedov received six-month prison terms, fines of 300,000 dirhams (approximately $81,600), and deportation orders. Meanwhile, former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili and a friend were fined 50,000 dirhams ($13,600) for assaulting others and disturbing public security.

Two additional people were sentenced to six months in prison for privacy violations after filming the brawl and posting the footage online. The court ordered the confiscation of their phones and the deletion of the video. The conflict began on Wednesday when PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov’s associates approached Dvalishvili while he was being interviewed in the lobby of the Yas Hilton. Online videos show Usman slapping Dvalishvili from behind, triggering the melee.

While Usman was not scheduled to fight at the RAF Abu Dhabi card, he had traveled to the UAE capital to support his brother, Umar. Following the incident, event organizers removed Umar from the card, replacing him with Saba Lazishvili, a friend of Dvalishvili who was also involved in the brawl.

RAF cofounder Chad Bronstein confirmed that Dvalishvili has been released from custody and remains available for his match against Marlon Moraes. Dvalishvili later shared a statement on X, expressing gratitude to the authorities in Abu Dhabi and stating that he would not press charges, wishing for peace for all involved.

This incident marks the latest in a series of clashes between Dvalishvili and Team Nurmagomedov, following tensions that escalated after Dvalishvili defeated Umar Nurmagomedov in a UFC bantamweight title fight in January last year, as well as a smaller altercation at an RAF event in Georgia in July.