ABU DHABI: Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili accused Usman Nurmagomedov and several associates of attacking him and a friend at a hotel before Saturday’s wrestling event.
Dvalishvili posted a video on Instagram on Wednesday showing blood on his face while he received treatment. He said the confrontation began during an interview promoting Real American Freestyle (RAF).
“Usman Nurmagomedov and his friends came like snakes from behind,” Dvalishvili said.
In an accompanying written account, the Georgian fighter alleged that men approached from behind and punched him and his friend. He claimed security personnel restrained him while others kicked them after they fell.
Dvalishvili estimated that about 20 people were involved and named Usman’s older brother, Umar Nurmagomedov, as part of the group.
Fellow fighter Ilia Topuria later shared a 37-second clip that appears to show several men approaching Dvalishvili before a physical confrontation. Punches follow, and someone falls to the ground.
Topuria later deleted his post. The short clip does not establish the identity of every participant or the full sequence of events. Despite his visible injuries, Dvalishvili reassured friends and family that he was fine.
MMA Fighting said neither Usman nor Umar had publicly addressed his allegations when it published its account.
Read More: Merab Dvalishvili Dominates UFC 316, Retains Bantamweight Title
Dvalishvili and Umar have a competitive history. At UFC 311 in January 2025, Dvalishvili defeated him by unanimous decision to retain the bantamweight title and hand him his first professional loss.
Dvalishvili is set to face former UFC title challenger Marlon Moraes in a wrestling match at Etihad Arena this Saturday. The two last faced each other under mixed martial arts rules at UFC 266 in September 2021, where Dvalishvili secured a second-round stoppage victory.
(With additional input from MMA Fighting and Emirates News Agency.)
