Former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili and MMA fighter Usman Nurmagomedov were involved in a reported altercation at a hotel in Abu Dhabi on November 11, 2026. The incident reportedly occurred while Dvalishvili was taking part in a media interview ahead of the Real American Freestyle (RAF) event. Video footage circulating online showed a confrontation between the fighters, followed by a larger disturbance involving other people. Dvalishvili later shared his account of the incident on social media. The episode has attracted considerable attention from the international MMA community.
Merab Dvalishvili Shares His Account of the Incident
Dvalishvili alleged that Nurmagomedov and several associates approached him and a friend during the interview. In a social media post, the Georgian fighter claimed they were confronted unexpectedly. He also shared a video after the incident while receiving medical attention. Dvalishvili criticised the way the confrontation unfolded and said he was doing well. However, the claims surrounding the incident should be distinguished from independently confirmed details, as the other camp had not publicly responded at the time of reporting.
Police Questioning Reported After Abu Dhabi Altercation
Reports from MMA journalist Ariel Helwani indicated that those involved in the hotel incident, including Dvalishvili and his friend, were taken to a police station for questioning. The reported questioning was intended to establish the circumstances surrounding the confrontation. However, no publicly confirmed details about formal charges or the outcome of the police inquiry were available at the time of reporting. The incident has therefore drawn attention to the ongoing investigation and the need for verified updates from the relevant authorities.
Incident Occurs Ahead of RAF Abu Dhabi Event
The altercation took place just days before the RAF Abu Dhabi wrestling event scheduled for November 14 at Etihad Arena. Dvalishvili is expected to face Marlon Moraes, while Umar Nurmagomedov is scheduled to compete against Urijah Faber. The incident has added further attention to the event, particularly because of the fighters' previous rivalry. Dvalishvili defeated Umar at UFC 311 in January 2025. Whether the latest developments will affect the upcoming competition remains to be seen.
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