An Abu Dhabi court convicted 10 people over a brawl involving MMA fighters Usman Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili at a hotel on Wednesday before a wrestling event. The court sentenced six members of Team Nurmagomedov to six months in prison, a fine of 300,000 dirhams (approximately $81,600), and deportation after serving their sentences, according to ESPN. Dvalishvili and a friend received fines of 50,000 dirhams ($13,600) for "disturbing public security and assaulting others," The National reported. Two additional people received six-month sentences for filming the brawl and publishing footage online. The court ordered confiscation of their phones and deletion of the footage.
The brawl began when Dvalishvili was being interviewed in the lobby of the Yas Hilton. Usman Nurmagomedov and his associates approached Dvalishvili, and videos showed Usman slapping Dvalishvili from behind, which sparked the melee. Usman, a PFL lightweight champion and cousin of retired MMA legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, had traveled to Abu Dhabi to accompany his older brother Umar, who was scheduled to wrestle at the event. Usman was not scheduled to compete.
RAF cofounder Chad Bronstein said Dvalishvili has been released from custody and remains available for his scheduled match with Marlon Moraes. Dvalishvili posted on social media: "I want peace and the best for all. I do hope that they release everyone; I would not press charges."
Event organisers removed Umar Nurmagomedov from the wrestling card and replaced him with Saba Lazishvili, Dvalishvili's friend who was also involved in the brawl. This was not the first clash between Dvalishvili and Team Nurmagomedov. Dvalishvili defeated Umar in a UFC bantamweight title fight in January 2024, and the two had a smaller altercation at an RAF event in Georgia in July.