Merab Dvalishvili says he was attacked by Usman Nurmagomedov and members of his team in Abu Dhabi. The former UFC bantamweight champion claims it happened while he was doing media work before RAF Abu Dhabi. He posted a video showing blood from his nose and major swelling around his left eye. That has raised doubts about whether he can fight on Saturday.
Dvalishvili is set to face Marlon Moraes at RAF Abu Dhabi on November 14 at Etihad Arena. He said Usman Nurmagomedov and several others came at him and a companion from behind. In the video, he is getting medical treatment and his left eye is almost shut. He called the alleged attackers “snakes” and questioned what kind of fighters and men they are. He said around 20 people were involved and that he and his companion were not ready for it. He challenged the Nurmagomedov camp to settle things in a fight instead of an ambush.
Dvalishvili has a long-running rivalry with the Nurmagomedov camp, especially Umar Nurmagomedov. Umar is set to face Urijah Faber on the same card. That is why both camps were in Abu Dhabi during fight week. Usman Nurmagomedov is Umar’s younger brother and a cousin of former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. No one from the Nurmagomedov team had publicly responded at the time of writing. RAF has not commented either. It is still unclear if Dvalishvili versus Moraes will go ahead.
Dvalishvili was looking to bounce back after losing twice to Petr Yan. He lost the UFC bantamweight title to Yan at UFC 323 in December 2025. Then he lost their trilogy bout by unanimous decision at UFC 333 in October. He had beaten Moraes by second-round TKO at UFC 266 in September 2021. Their RAF meeting is billed as a catchweight crossover wrestling match with no championship on the line. The RAF Abu Dhabi card is headlined by Khamzat Chimaev versus Chris Weidman after Colby Covington withdrew. Arman Tsarukyan faces Neiman Gracie in the co-main event.
Islam Makhachev Defends Usman Nurmagomedov After Merab Dvalishvili Attack in Abu Dhabi
Islam Makhachev has defended Usman Nurmagomedov after a bloody attack on Merab Dvalishvili in Abu Dhabi. Makhachev is the UFC welterweight champion and a top pound-for-pound fighter. He wrote on Instagram that Merab started the trouble. He asked why critics were silent when Merab slapped a Dagestani fighter and insulted his honor. He said the man only came over to talk. He said Merab began it by slapping and cursing a guest in his own homeland.
The background goes back to July. Merab slapped Ahmed Gadzhimagomedov backstage before RAF Georgia in Tbilisi. Gadzhimagomedov is a friend and training partner of the Nurmagomedov family. He reportedly came up after the press conference, grabbed Merab and asked in Russian what his problem with Umar was. Umar and Merab have had a heated feud since UFC 311 in January 2025. Merab won that fight by unanimous decision and kept his bantamweight title.
Makhachev is close to both Nurmagomedov brothers. He has been their longtime teammate and friend. He is a record-breaking two-division UFC champion. His coach and mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, is a cousin of Usman and Umar.
A video came out showing Usman and a group attacking Merab in a hotel lobby in Abu Dhabi. The RAF event is on Saturday. Merab and a friend were left badly bloodied. One widely shared post called it lame and deplorable. Usman is Umar’s younger brother. He is a former Bellator and PFL lightweight champion and is now a free agent.
Merab and Umar are both in Abu Dhabi for the RAF freestyle wrestling event. They are set for separate matches. Merab is set to face Marlon Moraes. Umar is set to face UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber. It is not clear yet if either man will stay on Saturday’s card.
Watch: Usman Nurmagomedov attcaks Merab Dvalishvili in Abu Dhabi
FAQs
Q. Who did Merab Dvalishvili accuse of attacking him in Abu Dhabi?
A. Dvalishvili accused Usman Nurmagomedov and members of his team of attacking him and a companion.
Q. When is Merab Dvalishvili scheduled to face Marlon Moraes?
A. The two are scheduled to meet on November 14 at RAF Abu Dhabi.
Q. How did Islam Makhachev defend Usman Nurmagomedov?
A. Makhachev claimed that Merab started the trouble by slapping and insulting a Dagestani fighter in July.
Q. Why were Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov in Abu Dhabi?
A. Both were there for the RAF wrestling event, where Merab is scheduled to face Marlon Moraes and Umar is set to face Urijah Faber.
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