Usman Nurmagomedov and several members of his entourage have received prison sentences and substantial fines in Abu Dhabi following a violent attack at a hotel.
Nurmagomedov confronted UFC star Merab Dvalishvili at the Yas Hilton on Wednesday, striking him in the lobby during what appeared to be a revenge attack. Friends of the fighter filmed the incident.
Dvalishvili, the Georgian-American UFC fighter, fought back alongside his cameraman as the confrontation quickly spiralled into a chaotic brawl. He was left with visible cuts and bruises before authorities detained those involved.
The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department announced the penalties on social media just two days after the incident.
Six men were sentenced to six months in prison and fined £61,000 each. They are also due to be deported once their prison terms have been completed.
The court said the men had “caused panic, disturbed public security and endangered lives”.
Two other members of Nurmagomedov’s group were fined £10,000 each for disturbing public security and assaulting others.
Usman Nurmagomedov (left) allegedly started the confrontation by slapping Merab Dvalishvili, while his brother Umar (right) lost a title fight against the Georgian last year
The Abu Dhabi court published details of the sentences online
The remaining two men, who filmed the assault, were also handed six-month prison terms and £61,000 fines. Their recording devices were confiscated.
They were convicted of violating privacy by using information technology to record and distribute footage of the altercation.
Dvalishvili had been scheduled to compete at a RAF wrestling event on Saturday. Chad Bronstein, the organisation’s CEO and co-founder, later confirmed that the fighter had returned to the event.
He said: “I am pleased to share that Merab Dvalishvili is back with us in Abu Dhabi. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the relevant authorities in Abu Dhabi for their professionalism and support.
“We remain focused on moving forward and are pleased to have Merab back with us.”
The confrontation at the hotel followed months of growing tension involving Nurmagomedov’s camp.
In July, Dvalishvili had taken part in a RAF event in Georgia. The freestyle wrestling shows are permitted by the UFC, allowing its fighters to compete outside their usual mixed martial arts commitments.
During the event, Dagestani wrestler Ahmed Gadzhimagomedov, a friend of Umar Nurmagomedov, approached Dvalishvili and challenged him over his apparent unwillingness to consider another fight with Umar.
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UFC fighter Merab Dvalishvili was attacked at a five-star hotel in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday
“I was super relaxed, super chilled and then somebody, Gadzhimagomedov, came and grabbed my neck and pulled me over and started yelling at me in Russian, which I hardly understand,” Dvalishvili told Ariel Helwani.
“He mentioned Umar. It took me a couple of seconds to realise, ‘Who is this guy to tell me what to talk about him?’
“It’s between me and Umar. I have so much respect for all Dagestani people, especially fighters. The only guy I don’t like from Dagestan is Umar and his sneaky manager, Rizvan, the guy who was helping Umar disrespect me on X and Threads.”
After Gadzhimagomedov confronted him, Dvalishvili pushed him in the neck and shouted: “What’s your problem, b***h?”
Unlike the later hotel incident, which erupted into a chaotic fight, that confrontation was quickly brought under control. A child was also nearby at the time.
Usman was reportedly seeking retaliation for Gadzhimagomedov and his brother Umar, who lost a title bout against Dvalishvili last year.
Video from the hotel appeared to show the group approaching the 35-year-old from behind. One man exchanged a few words with Dvalishvili before slapping him across the face.
Dvalishvili appeared stunned, was then kicked and held back by a man who seemed to be accompanying him.
He attempted to defend himself, but several men soon surrounded him while his companion was also attacked. The groups were eventually separated, and Dvalishvili later addressed the incident on social media.
The 35-year-old was caught off guard while conducting an interview
Speaking in a video while receiving treatment for his injuries, he said: “What a sneaky way, guys. Just two of us, me and my friend, came here in Abu Dhabi, and Usman and his friends came like snakes from behind. What kind of fighters are you? What kind of man does this? If you want to fight, let’s do it the real way.
“You came when there were only two of us, and you were prepared. What the f***?”
His companion added: “From behind? You call yourselves men? You’re a little b***h.”
Dvalishvili continued: “You are sneaky guys. You are not real men. It shows your character. What the f***, guys? If you want to fight, let’s fight. We are fighters. I talk straight, but you came from behind. I don’t know how many guys there were, with all your friends waiting for us in a sneaky way.
“I knew what kind of guys you were. Usman, Umar and their friends came from behind with so many men. I am fine, guys. To all my friends and family, I am f***ing fine. I am a fighter. This is nothing for me, but it shows what kind of people you are. P***ys do this, bro. We are warriors.”
