Abu Dhabi Police arrest 10 after hotel brawl involving MMA fighters
Ten people were detained following a confrontation between Usman Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili at a hotel in Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi Police have confirmed the arrest of 10 people following a brawl at the Yas Hilton hotel in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. The incident involved MMA fighter Usman Nurmagomedov and former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili, according to the Times of India.
The confrontation occurred in the hotel lobby while Dvalishvili was giving an interview ahead of the Real American Freestyle (RAF) event. Social media footage showed Nurmagomedov approaching Dvalishvili from behind and slapping him, which led to a scuffle between members of both camps.
Police arrested eight individuals involved in the fight and two others for filming the incident. All 10 have been referred to the Public Prosecution for legal proceedings.
Dvalishvili alleged on social media that he and a younger friend were attacked by a large group while security prevented him from responding. He shared videos showing a bloodied face and a swollen eye following the altercation.
The incident follows long-standing tensions between the two camps. In January 2025, Dvalishvili defeated Nurmagomedov's brother, Umar Nurmagomedov, to defend his UFC bantamweight title.
The RAF event is scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi on November 14.