Former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili and PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov were involved in a physical altercation at a hotel in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, with videos of the confrontation quickly spreading across social media.
Dvalishvili is in the United Arab Emirates ahead of Saturday’s Real American Freestyle (RAF) event. Following the incident, the Georgian fighter shared a video showing his bloodied face, while several clips posted online captured different moments of the confrontation.
The footage appears to show Nurmagomedov approaching Dvalishvili from behind before slapping him in the face. Dvalishvili then attempts to pursue Nurmagomedov, triggering a chaotic scene involving members of both fighters’ camps.
Former UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, who is friends with Dvalishvili, also shared footage of the incident online.
Dvalishvili Calls Out Nurmagomedov After Confrontation
In a video recorded after the altercation, Dvalishvili criticized Nurmagomedov and members of his team, describing them as “snakes.”
“What a sneaky way, guys,” Dvalishvili said. “What kind of fighters you guys are? What kind of man does this? If you want to try, let's do it the real way.”
The former UFC champion appeared frustrated by the way the confrontation began, particularly the apparent slap from behind.
Neither the incident nor the subsequent social media reaction has reduced the attention surrounding the rivalry between the two camps.
Long-Running Tension Between the Two Camps
Wednesday’s incident is the latest chapter in an ongoing feud involving Dvalishvili and the Nurmagomedov team.
Before facing Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 in January 2025, Dvalishvili described his opponent as “spoiled” and accused him of showing disrespect. Dvalishvili went on to defeat Umar by decision and retain his UFC bantamweight championship.
The tension continued beyond the Octagon. The two camps were also involved in a brief altercation in July at another RAF event in Georgia.
Usman is Umar’s older brother, adding another connection to the rivalry between the fighters and their respective teams.
Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov Set for RAF Appearances
Both Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov are scheduled to compete at Saturday’s RAF event in Abu Dhabi.
Dvalishvili is set to face former UFC title challenger Marlon Moraes, while Umar will take on former UFC champion Urijah Faber.
The matchups were already attracting attention because of the fighters’ backgrounds in mixed martial arts. However, Wednesday’s confrontation has added another layer of interest ahead of the event.
It remains to be seen whether the incident will have any impact on the scheduled appearances or whether additional tensions will emerge between the camps.
Usman Nurmagomedov’s UFC Future Remains Uncertain
Away from the confrontation, Usman Nurmagomedov’s career plans are also attracting attention.
The PFL lightweight champion is currently in a period of restricted free agency, with speculation continuing over a possible move to the UFC in 2027.
A switch to the UFC would represent a significant development for Nurmagomedov, who has established himself as one of the leading fighters in the PFL lightweight division.
For now, his immediate focus remains on the situation surrounding Wednesday’s incident and the growing attention ahead of Saturday’s RAF event.
With Dvalishvili and members of the Nurmagomedov camp already involved in previous confrontations, the Abu Dhabi brawl has brought their rivalry back into the spotlight.
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