USMAN NURMAGOMEDOV SENTENCED TO SIX MONTHS IN PRISON AFTER ABU DHABI BRAWL WITH MERAB DVALISHVILI
A court in Abu Dhabi has reportedly sentenced Usman Nurmagomedov and seven other individuals to six months in prison following a violent altercation involving Georgian MMA fighter Merab Dvalishvili at a hotel on Yas Island. The defendants were also fined and ordered to be deported after serving their sentences.
A court in Abu Dhabi has delivered its verdict following the high-profile confrontation involving MMA fighters Usman Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili.
According to reports published on November 13, 2026, eight individuals were sentenced to six months in prison. Six defendants, including Nurmagomedov, were reportedly fined AED 300,000 each and ordered to be deported after completing their prison sentences.
Two additional individuals who filmed and published footage of the incident also received six-month prison sentences, AED 300,000 fines and deportation orders for violating privacy laws.
Two other defendants were reportedly fined AED 50,000 each but did not receive prison sentences.
How did the confrontation between Nurmagomedov and Dvalishvili begin?
The incident took place on November 11 in the lobby of the Yas Hilton hotel in Abu Dhabi.
Merab Dvalishvili was reportedly giving an interview ahead of his scheduled appearance at a Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling event when Usman Nurmagomedov and several associates approached him.
Footage circulated on social media appeared to show Nurmagomedov striking Dvalishvili, triggering a wider confrontation involving members of both groups.
Dvalishvili later shared images showing injuries to his face. His friend and fellow Georgian wrestler, Saba Lazishvili, was also reportedly involved in the incident.
Ten people arrested by Abu Dhabi police
Following the confrontation, Abu Dhabi Police confirmed that ten people had been arrested.
Eight individuals were detained for their alleged involvement in the physical altercation, while two others were arrested for filming the incident.
The case was referred to the Public Prosecution for legal proceedings.
What happened to Merab Dvalishvili?
Merab Dvalishvili and Saba Lazishvili were reportedly fined AED 50,000 each. Reports also indicated that the two Georgians were released from custody.
The incident attracted significant attention across the international MMA community, particularly because of the long-running sporting rivalry between Dvalishvili and members of the Nurmagomedov camp.
Real American Freestyle (RAF) also confirmed that Usman Nurmagomedov would not attend its Abu Dhabi event.
The court’s reported decision marks a major development in a confrontation that escalated beyond the sporting arena and resulted in serious legal consequences.
This article is based on media reports published on November 13, 2026. The reported sentences and penalties are attributed to those sources.
FIGHT BREAKS OUT IN ABU DHABI! Usman Nurmagomedov and His Group Attack Merab Dvalishvili and His Friend Saba Lazishvili!
Violent scenes have shaken the MMA world! Georgian fighter Merab Dvalishvili and his friend Saba Lazishvili were involved in an altercation with a group of people that included Usman Nurmagomedov and several of his associates. The two Georgians were reportedly caught by surprise in the lobby of a hotel in Abu Dhabi, and footage of the confrontation has gone viral online.
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Saba Lazishvili Refused to Leave Merab Dvalishvili Alone
One of the most notable aspects of the incident was the presence of Saba Lazishvili, Merab Dvalishvili’s friend and training partner.
Merab was not alone when the confrontation took place. Saba, a Georgian fighter, was by his side and did not abandon him when they faced the group of opponents.
The two found themselves in an extremely tense situation, outnumbered by the group that approached them. Saba stayed alongside Merab throughout the altercation and was also struck, suffering visible injuries.
In footage and photographs published after the incident, both athletes can be seen with injuries and bruises.
Saba Lazishvili is a Georgian wrestler who trains alongside Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling as part of the Syndicate MMA team.
How Did the Fight Break Out in Abu Dhabi?
The incident reportedly took place on November 11, 2026, in the lobby of a hotel in Abu Dhabi, while Merab Dvalishvili was giving an interview to promote the Real American Freestyle (RAF) competition.
According to footage shared by Georgian fighter Ilia Topuria, Usman Nurmagomedov approached Dvalishvili from behind and struck him, triggering an altercation involving several people.
Merab stated that Usman Nurmagomedov, Umar Nurmagomedov, and their associates approached as a group and attacked him and his friend.
The former UFC champion claimed that several people continued striking them even after they had fallen to the ground.
“There were only two of us, me and my friend, while Usman Nurmagomedov and his friends came from behind,” the Georgian fighter said in a message published after the incident.
Merab criticized the way the confrontation unfolded, saying that if his opponents wanted to fight, they could have faced him in a proper sporting contest rather than attacking him as a group.
Who Is Saba Lazishvili?
Saba Lazishvili is a Georgian wrestler and a close associate of Merab Dvalishvili.
According to information published by MMA media outlets, he trains alongside Dvalishvili, Aljamain Sterling, and the Syndicate MMA team.
Saba comes from a family with a background in combat sports. His older brother, Zviad Lazishvili, is a former LFA champion who has also competed in the UFC. He has also been in Merab Dvalishvili’s corner during one of his fights.
Saba’s presence in Abu Dhabi and his decision to remain by Merab’s side during the incident have attracted attention across the MMA community.
The Rivalry Between Merab Dvalishvili and the Nurmagomedov Family
Tensions between the two camps have a longer history.
In January 2025, Merab Dvalishvili defeated Umar Nurmagomedov by unanimous decision at UFC 311 in a fight for the bantamweight championship.
Umar is Usman Nurmagomedov’s brother, and both are cousins of former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
The rivalry between Dvalishvili and the Nurmagomedov family continued after that fight, with tensions resurfacing on several occasions.
Reactions to the Footage of the Attack
The video of the confrontation has sparked strong reactions throughout the combat sports community.
Georgian fighter Ilia Topuria shared the footage and condemned the behavior of those involved.
Several athletes and MMA commentators have criticized the fact that the confrontation involved a large group of people against two fighters.
For now, the full circumstances surrounding the incident and any possible official action by the authorities in Abu Dhabi remain unclear.
One detail that has particularly caught the public’s attention is that Merab Dvalishvili was not alone during the confrontation: his friend Saba Lazishvili stood by his side when they faced the group.
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