Islam Makhachev defends Usman Nurmagomedov after slap on Merab Dvalishvili

Makhachev hit back at critics of his training partner, pointing to an earlier incident in which he said Dvalishvili struck a Dagestani wrestler. RAF has not said whether Dvalishvili still faces Marlon Moraes on Saturday.

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published Thu 12 Nov, 09:13 UK · AI-assisted reporting

Islam Makhachev has come to the defence of Usman Nurmagomedov after video emerged on Wednesday of Nurmagomedov slapping Merab Dvalishvili at the RAF event in Abu Dhabi.

The footage shows Nurmagomedov walking up to Dvalishvili while he was being interviewed and striking him almost straight away. A chaotic scene followed involving the fighters and their friends, and several videos of the altercation have since circulated. Nurmagomedov has been heavily criticised.

Makhachev, who counts Nurmagomedov among his main training partners, responded in an Instagram statement. He wrote: “To those who are now condemning Usman and the guys, [and] they are writing insults to them, why were you silent when Merab hit a Dagestani wrestler for nothing and hurt his honor?” Makhachev added that the man had approached Dvalishvili to talk without malice.

The Nurmagomedov family's feud with Dvalishvili is well documented. Nurmagomedov himself has not commented on the incident or released any statement.

He is in Abu Dhabi to support his brother, Umar Nurmagomedov, who was also involved in the altercation. Umar is scheduled to face Urijah Faber in a wrestling match at the event.

RAF officials have not addressed the melee. They have also not said whether Dvalishvili will still compete on Saturday, when he is scheduled to face Marlon Moraes on the card.

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Islam Makhachev Merab Dvalishvili Umar Nurmagomedov