Merab Dvalishvili Alleges Usman Nurmagomedov Attack in Abu Dhabi: Video, Reported Detentions and the Consequences Ahead of RAF Abu Dhabi
By Real Combat Media MMA Editorial Staff
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, (November 11th, 2026)–Former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili alleges that Usman Nurmagomedov, a group of associates and his older brother Umar Nurmagomedov attacked him and a friend in a hotel lobby in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, three days before both Dvalishvili and Umar are scheduled to compete at RAF Abu Dhabi. Video of the incident circulated within hours, and Ilia Topuria claimed that Usman Nurmagomedov and others were detained, though authorities have not confirmed it. The fallout could reach the RAF card, Usman Nurmagomedov’s hopes of signing with the UFC and the long-running feud between Dvalishvili and the Nurmagomedov camp. None of the allegations have been independently verified, and neither Nurmagomedov brother had publicly responded as of this writing.
What Dvalishvili Alleges
Dvalishvili posted a video to Instagram showing him with blood on his face and a heavily swollen left eye while medics treated him and his friend. He said he was doing an interview for RAF in the hotel lobby when Usman Nurmagomedov and his friends approached from behind and began punching him and his friend. According to Dvalishvili, security restrained him while the group kept kicking the two men after they were on the floor. He put the number of attackers at about 20, named Umar Nurmagomedov as one of the people involved and said Usman and his friends “came like snakes from behind.” He also said he was fine and invited the group to settle things in a sanctioned fight.
What the Video Shows
Topuria, Dvalishvili’s friend and a former two-division UFC champion, posted a 37-second clip of the encounter before deleting it. In the footage, Dvalishvili is rehearsing a promo for RAF when a group approaches from behind, and a taller man in a black shirt and hat, possibly Usman Nurmagomedov, gets his attention and strikes him in the face. The National reported that a fight began after Dvalishvili turned around. Longer versions of the footage that later circulated reportedly show additional men joining in and Dvalishvili being taken to the ground. Umar Nurmagomedov’s role, if any, is not clear from the footage that has circulated.
The Backstory
Dvalishvili beat Umar Nurmagomedov by unanimous decision at UFC 311 in January 2025, and the two camps have a history. In July, before RAF Georgia in Tbilisi, Dvalishvili slapped Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov, a friend of the Nurmagomedovs, in a backstage altercation after dismissing the idea of a wrestling match with Umar. Dvalishvili later said Gadzhimagomedov had grabbed him by the neck first. Relations had appeared to improve more recently, and Dvalishvili trained at the Nurmagomedov gym in Abu Dhabi last month and said things were good between him and Umar.
The Consequences
Legal fallout: Topuria claimed Usman Nurmagomedov had been detained along with the people who were with him, and at least one outlet reported that authorities detained him for assault. None of that has been officially confirmed. As of Wednesday reports, no statements from police, RAF, the UFC or the PFL had been published, and The National said it had contacted RAF for comment. What charges, if any, follow is unclear.
RAF Abu Dhabi: Dvalishvili is scheduled to wrestle Marlon Moraes and Umar Nurmagomedov is scheduled to face Urijah Faber on Saturday’s card at Etihad Arena, which is headlined by Khamzat Chimaev’s challenge to Colby Covington. Both bouts remained on the schedule as of Wednesday, but outlets noted the matchups could be in serious jeopardy depending on how the situation develops and on what RAF decides to do.
Usman Nurmagomedov’s career: The 28-year-old cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov is a recent PFL lightweight champion who defended his title in July before the PFL merged with MVP MMA, and he is now described as a free agent. He had been widely tipped to join his brother Umar in the UFC, but he is already facing backlash from fans and fellow fighters, and outlets say the incident could jeopardize his chances of reaching the Octagon.
Dvalishvili’s situation: The 35-year-old, who lost a trilogy title fight to Petr Yan last month, now has to decide whether he is healthy enough to compete on Saturday after the injuries visible in his video. The incident also puts the history of the feud back in the spotlight, including his own role in the July altercation in Georgia.
What We Know and What We Do Not
Dvalishvili’s account, the footage and Topuria’s claims all point in the same direction, but a lot remains unverified, including the number of people involved, who participated, the status of any detentions and what happens to Saturday’s card. Real Combat Media will update this story as the situation develops.
Watch
Video: Dvalishvili and Usman Nurmagomedov Altercation in Abu Dhabi
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