Merab Dvalishvili Released From Abu Dhabi Custody After Hotel Brawl — Usman Nurmagomedov Reportedly Among Fighters Sentenced to Six Months in Prison

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — What began as a heated rivalry between two prominent mixed martial arts fighters erupted into a hotel lobby confrontation, leaving former UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili injured, briefly detained and facing an uncertain legal future. But in a dramatic reversal, Dvalishvili has been released, while Usman Nurmagomedov and several others reportedly face six-month prison sentences following a ruling by an Abu Dhabi court.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at the Yas Hilton hotel in Abu Dhabi, just days before a major Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling event.

Dvalishvili, a former UFC bantamweight champion from Georgia, had traveled to the United Arab Emirates to compete against former UFC contender Marlon Moraes.

Instead, he became involved in an altercation involving Usman Nurmagomedov, the undefeated PFL lightweight champion, and several members of Nurmagomedov’s entourage.

Video footage circulating on social media appeared to show Nurmagomedov approaching Dvalishvili from behind and striking him, triggering a larger confrontation involving multiple people.

Both Dvalishvili and his friend, Georgian wrestler Saba Lazishvili, sustained visible facial injuries.

Police detained ten individuals connected to the incident.

Initially, reports suggested that Dvalishvili and Lazishvili could remain in custody for up to 48 hours while authorities determined how to proceed.

Their detention prompted an emotional appeal from Lazishvili’s brother, who argued that the two Georgians had only attempted to protect themselves.

However, the legal situation changed significantly on November 13, when an Abu Dhabi court announced its ruling.

A Hotel Interview Turns Into a Chaotic Confrontation

According to reports from MMA Fighting and The National, Dvalishvili was participating in an interview at the Yas Hilton hotel when Nurmagomedov and several associates approached him.

Footage showed Nurmagomedov striking Dvalishvili before a confrontation broke out between members of the two groups.

Within moments, the scene descended into chaos.

Several individuals became involved as security personnel attempted to separate the fighters.

Dvalishvili later posted footage of his injuries and accused Nurmagomedov’s associates of attacking him while security personnel were restraining him.

He claimed that he and Lazishvili had been assaulted despite attempting to defend themselves.

Those claims attracted considerable attention within the combat sports community, particularly because of the existing rivalry between Dvalishvili and the Nurmagomedov camp.

However, the viral footage does not independently establish every participant’s conduct throughout the entire confrontation.

Police treated the incident as a public-order matter and detained those involved.

Family Member Makes Emotional Plea for Help

On November 12, while Dvalishvili and Lazishvili remained in custody, Lazishvili’s brother, Zviad, published an emotional appeal.

He expressed frustration that the two Georgians had been detained despite allegedly being confronted by a larger group.

According to his account, the pair had acted to protect themselves and had not initiated the altercation.

He also said they could face 48 hours in custody while awaiting a judicial decision.

His appeal called on people with legal knowledge or connections in Abu Dhabi to assist the two men.

The situation quickly became a major talking point among MMA supporters.

Fans questioned whether Dvalishvili and Lazishvili should face legal consequences if they had been attacked first.

Others noted that authorities in the United Arab Emirates take public disturbances seriously, regardless of the identities or professional status of those involved.

At that stage, the legal outcome remained uncertain.

But the following day brought a decisive development.

Abu Dhabi Court Sentences Eight People to Prison

On Friday, November 13, the Abu Dhabi Criminal Court announced that ten people had been convicted in connection with the hotel confrontation.

According to the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, six defendants received six-month prison sentences and fines of 300,000 UAE dirhams each, approximately $81,700.

They were also ordered to be deported from the United Arab Emirates after serving their sentences.

Reports from Reuters and CBS Sports identified Usman Nurmagomedov as one of the six individuals sentenced.

Two additional defendants received six-month prison sentences and substantial fines for recording and distributing footage of the confrontation in violation of privacy laws.

Authorities also ordered the confiscation of their phones and deletion of the footage.

Meanwhile, two other defendants, identified in news reports as Dvalishvili and Lazishvili, received fines of 50,000 dirhams each, approximately $13,600, but avoided prison sentences.

Both men were subsequently released from custody.

The ruling represented a significant reversal from the situation described in earlier reports.

While Dvalishvili had initially faced the possibility of remaining detained, he was now free to continue preparing for his scheduled wrestling appearance.

The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department did not publicly identify all ten defendants by name in its initial announcement, although multiple sports outlets connected the reported sentences to those involved in the incident.

Dvalishvili Breaks His Silence After Release

Shortly after regaining his freedom, Dvalishvili issued a public statement confirming that he was safe and healthy.

He thanked officials and supporters who had helped resolve the situation.

“Just want to let everyone know I have been released and I am good, healthy and ready to go,” he wrote.

But his next remarks surprised many fans.

Despite having suffered injuries during the confrontation, Dvalishvili said he hoped everyone involved would be released.

He also indicated that he did not want to pursue charges against the other fighters.

His message emphasized reconciliation rather than retaliation.

“I want peace and the best for all,” he wrote.

The statement provided a striking contrast to the heated confrontation that had occurred just two days earlier.

It also addressed concerns among supporters who had questioned whether the legal proceedings might prevent him from competing at the upcoming RAF event.

Dvalishvili made clear that he remained prepared to compete.

A Rivalry That Began Long Before Abu Dhabi

The confrontation did not occur between strangers.

Dvalishvili has a well-documented competitive history with members of the Nurmagomedov camp.

In January 2025, he defeated Umar Nurmagomedov, Usman’s brother, by unanimous decision at UFC 311, successfully defending the UFC bantamweight championship.

The bout intensified an already competitive relationship between the fighters.

In the months that followed, disagreements and public exchanges continued.

Dvalishvili also became involved in an earlier confrontation with an associate of Umar Nurmagomedov around a Real American Freestyle event in Georgia.

Although these previous incidents provide context for the hostility surrounding the Abu Dhabi encounter, investigators have not publicly established that any particular earlier disagreement directly caused the hotel confrontation.

The November 11 incident nevertheless drew attention because it involved internationally recognized fighters from rival camps.

Usman Nurmagomedov, a cousin of former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, has built an undefeated professional MMA record and competed at the highest levels of the sport.

Dvalishvili is widely known for his relentless wrestling style and endurance.

Both athletes have substantial followings, making their confrontation a major story within international combat sports.

Dana White Condemns the Incident

UFC President Dana White also reacted to the hotel confrontation.

Speaking publicly after the footage circulated, White criticized those involved and expressed frustration over fighters engaging in physical altercations outside organized competition.

His remarks reflected concerns about the risks such incidents create for athletes, promoters and the sport’s reputation.

Unlike a sanctioned MMA contest, a confrontation in a hotel lobby takes place without referees, regulated safety procedures or medical supervision.

The consequences can extend far beyond injuries.

As the Abu Dhabi proceedings demonstrated, participants may also face serious criminal penalties under local laws.

The incident raised additional questions about how professional fighters should conduct themselves outside competition, particularly when traveling internationally.

Changes to the Real American Freestyle Event

The confrontation also disrupted preparations for Real American Freestyle’s debut event in Abu Dhabi.

Dvalishvili had been scheduled to compete against former UFC fighter Marlon Moraes.

Despite the legal proceedings, organizers confirmed that the Georgian would remain on the card.

Saba Lazishvili also received an unexpected opportunity.

He was added to the event as a replacement for Umar Nurmagomedov and scheduled to face UFC veteran Urijah Faber.

Umar had originally been booked to compete at the November 14 event, but the confrontation involving his brother and their associates affected the lineup.

The changes came just days before the competition, forcing organizers to adjust their plans while monitoring the legal proceedings.

RAF leadership confirmed that Dvalishvili was cleared to compete following his release.

Why Were Some Fighters Released While Others Faced Prison?

One of the most discussed aspects of the case concerns the difference in penalties imposed on the defendants.

The Abu Dhabi court distinguished between different categories of conduct.

Six defendants received prison sentences for offenses involving public security, panic and endangerment.

Two others were penalized for recording and distributing footage.

The remaining two were fined for public-order and assault-related offenses but were not sentenced to prison.

The distinction demonstrates that authorities did not treat every participant identically.

However, the public reporting does not provide a complete account of the evidence considered by the court.

Without the full judicial record, it is not possible to determine precisely how each participant’s individual actions influenced the penalties.

The case also illustrates the importance of understanding local laws when traveling internationally.

Conduct that might lead to relatively minor consequences in one jurisdiction can result in significant penalties in another.

In the United Arab Emirates, public-order and privacy offenses can carry serious legal consequences.

The court’s decision also showed that individuals recording and publishing footage may face separate legal scrutiny.

A Dramatic Ending to a Turbulent Week

Within 48 hours, Merab Dvalishvili experienced an extraordinary series of events.

He arrived in Abu Dhabi preparing for a wrestling match.

He became involved in a hotel confrontation that left him injured.

He was detained alongside several other fighters.

His friend’s family publicly appealed for assistance.

And then, following a court ruling, he was released and cleared to compete.

Meanwhile, Usman Nurmagomedov and several other individuals reportedly received prison sentences.

For Dvalishvili, the outcome allowed him to return his attention to competition.

His public response also offered an unexpected conclusion to the confrontation.

Rather than demanding harsher punishment, he expressed hope that those involved could be released and move forward peacefully.

The story that initially sparked outrage over Dvalishvili’s detention had changed dramatically by November 13. He was no longer behind bars, while several others faced prison sentences and substantial financial penalties.

The legal consequences may continue to affect the fighters involved, but the immediate uncertainty surrounding Dvalishvili’s freedom has been resolved.

And with the RAF event approaching, the Georgian fighter has made his position clear.

He is healthy, he is ready to compete, and he says he wants peace.