Topuria says Usman Nurmagomedov detained after Abu Dhabi clash

A conflict broke out in a hotel lobby in Abu Dhabi between Merab Dvalishvili and Usman Nurmagomedov and his entourage. Ilia Topuria posted a video and said Usman had been detained, while Islam Makhachev blamed Dvalishvili.

A conflict broke out in a hotel lobby in Abu Dhabi between former UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili and PFL star Usman Nurmagomedov. The incident occurred ahead of the RAF (Real American Freestyle) tournament in Abu Dhabi, where Dvalishvili was giving an interview to organizers.

Dvalishvili wrote on social media that Usman and his friends approached from behind during the interview and began striking him and his young friend. He said security held him back while the attackers continued kicking them after they fell.

In a video Dvalishvili posted after the incident, he describes what happened with facial injuries while a medic treats a cut. CBS Sports reported that a recording of the attack itself also appeared online.

Topuria's statement

Dvalishvili's close friend Ilia Topuria also posted a video of the attack, Match TV and MMA Fighting reported. Topuria later said that Usman Nurmagomedov had been detained in Abu Dhabi and called the attackers “cowards,” Yahoo Sports and Sport.ru reported. Championat reported that Topuria later deleted one of the posts containing insults directed at Usman. Topuria is the only person to have made the detention claim, and available sources contained no official comments from UAE authorities.

Makhachev: “Merab started it”

Islam Makhachev sided with Nurmagomedov. MMA Fighting and MMAWeekly reported that he said Dvalishvili started the conflict and criticized his past conduct. The incident caused a broad reaction in the MMA community.

Video: Merab Dvalishvili. Photo: Wikimedia Commons (archive). Sources: CBS Sports, MMA Fighting, Yahoo Sports, Match TV, Sport.ru, Championat.

Topuria says Usman Nurmagomedov detained after Abu Dhabi clash