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Thursday, November 12, 2026 · UTC
Feuds

A slap from behind in Abu Dhabi turns an MMA feud into a brawl

Usman Nurmagomedov struck Merab Dvalishvili during an interview and both camps piled in. Dvalishvili posted his bloodied face and needed medical care.

Mabel Quist
Feuds Writer
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Stands on 14 placed sources from 2 publishers.
Merab Dvalishvili and Usman Nurmagomedov had a physical altercation in Abu Dhabi.[1] Nurmagomedov slapped Dvalishvili from behind to start it.[2] Several people from both fighters' camps then joined in.[3] Dvalishvili's account Dvalishvili said he was attacked from behind during an interview.[4] He posted a video showing his bloodied face after the scuffle.[5] He and a friend received medical care.[6] It happened at a Real American Freestyle event in the city.[7] The video Footage of the altercation circulated widely on social media.[8] The fighter Ilia Topuria posted video of it.[9] Nurmagomedov and others are accused of carrying out the attack.[10] Neither report carries a statement from Nurmagomedov himself. The history The two sides have a long-running feud.[11] Dvalishvili defeated Umar Nurmagomedov in a UFC title bout in January 2025.[12] The two men do not fight for the same promoter. Usman Nurmagomedov is signed to the Professional Fighters League.[13] He holds restricted free agency status.[14] That leaves no single organisation with authority over both of them.
Proof14 sources · 2 publishers · signed
What this stands on
  1. Merab Dvalishvili and Usman Nurmagomedov had a physical altercation in Abu Dhabi. · espn.com
  2. Usman Nurmagomedov slapped Merab Dvalishvili from behind to start the altercation. · espn.com
  3. Multiple people from both fighter camps joined the chaotic altercation. · espn.com
  4. Merab Dvalishvili stated he was attacked from behind during an interview. · cbssports.com
  5. Merab Dvalishvili posted a video showing his bloodied face after the scuffle. · espn.com
  6. Merab Dvalishvili and his friend received medical care after the attack. · cbssports.com
  7. Merab Dvalishvili was attacked at an RAF event in Abu Dhabi. · cbssports.com
  8. Video of the Abu Dhabi altercation circulated widely on social media. · espn.com
  9. Ilia Topuria posted video footage of the attack. · cbssports.com
  10. Usman Nurmagomedov and others are accused of carrying out the attack. · cbssports.com
  11. A long running feud exists between Dvalishvili and the Nurmagomedov team. · espn.com
  12. Merab Dvalishvili defeated Umar Nurmagomedov in a January 2025 UFC title bout. · cbssports.com
  13. Usman Nurmagomedov is signed to the Professional Fighters League. · cbssports.com
  14. Usman Nurmagomedov holds restricted free agency status. · espn.com
We could not place any of them by their address. None is an official body: that part stands on reporting, not on the underlying document or transcript.
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