Usman Nurmagomedov is reportedly among eight people handed six-month prison sentences following a hotel altercation involving former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili in Abu Dhabi.
The ruling was delivered by an Abu Dhabi court on Friday, November 13, after the incident, which occurred on Wednesday, November 11, ahead of the Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling event. According to Reuters, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department confirmed that 10 people were convicted in connection with the incident. The court announcement stated that the defendants received six-month prison sentences and deportation orders.
However, reports indicate that the penalties differed among those convicted. Usman was reportedly among six peopleb fined AED 300,000 ($81,600) each, while two additional individuals received six-month sentences for filming the altercation and publishing the footage online. Dvalishvili and Lazishvili, meanwhile, were each reportedly fined AED 50,000 and released from custody. The incident took place inside a hotel lobby as Dvalishvili was conducting an interview ahead of his scheduled appearance at RAF Abu Dhabi.
Video footage circulating online showed Usman approaching the Georgian fighter before appearing to slap him, triggering a wider confrontation involving members of both groups. Dvalishvili later shared footage of the aftermath on social media, showing injuries to his face and alleging that he and Lazishvili were attacked from behind while security personnel restrained him. The former UFC champion described the incident as an attack by Usman and his associates, while the confrontation quickly attracted attention across the MMA community.
Abu Dhabi Police subsequently confirmed that 10 people had been arrested, including eight people over their involvement in the fight and two others for filming the incident. The incident also affected the RAF Abu Dhabi lineup. Usman had travelled to the UAE to support his brother Umar Nurmagomedov, who was scheduled to face former UFC champion Urijah Faber at the event. However, RAF later removed Umar from the card and announced Saba Lazishvili as his replacement. Dvalishvili, who was scheduled to face Marlon Moraes, remained available for his match after his release.
UFC CEO Dana White also criticised the confrontation, describing those involved as irresponsible during a press conference ahead of UFC 334. White expressed concern over the violence and the security arrangements surrounding the event, making it clear that such incidents could have serious consequences. The situation also raises questions about Usman’s future in MMA, particularly as the PFL lightweight champion had been linked with a possible move to the UFC following the completion of his most recent PFL contract.
For now, the reported six-month sentence represents a significant legal development for the undefeated lightweight champion, with the incident extending beyond the rivalry between the fighters and into the UAE judicial system. The Abu Dhabi hotel confrontation has now resulted in prison sentences, financial penalties and changes to the RAF event lineup, making it one of the most consequential controversies involving the MMA community this week.
Check out the updated card below.
Khamzat Chimaev vs. Chris Weidman
Arman Tsarukyan vs. Neiman Gracie
Zabit Magomedsharipov vs. Giga Chikadze
Abdulrashid Sadulaev vs. Dauren Kurugliev
Kyle Dake vs. Alp Arslan Begenjov
Merab Dvalishvili vs. Marlon Moraes
Urijah Faber vs. Saba Lazishvili
Jordan Burroughs vs. Azamat Nurykau
Kyle Snyder vs. Shamil Erdogan
Murtaza Talha vs. Osama Elsaidy
Julianna Peña vs. Diana Avsaragova
Zahid Valencia vs. Khidir Saipudinov
Kennedy Blades vs. Bella Mir
