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Usman Nurmagomedov slaps Merab Dvalishvili, sparking a brawl in Abu Dhabi

Brother Umar Nurmagomedov and other members of Usman Nurmagomedov's team were drawn into the melee before RAF security separated the two camps.

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published · AI-assisted reporting
Merab Dvalishvili
Photo: UFC

Usman Nurmagomedov slapped Merab Dvalishvili in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, setting off a brawl between their camps days before RAF Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

Dvalishvili, the former UFC bantamweight champion, was giving an interview when Nurmagomedov walked up to him and struck him a split second later.

Members of Nurmagomedov's team, including his brother Umar Nurmagomedov, then joined the fight against Dvalishvili and a friend who had been standing beside him. RAF security staff tried to restore order, but the scuffle carried on for a few moments before the fighters were pulled apart.

The attack has made Nurmagomedov, currently a free agent, the target of heavy criticism from other fighters, several of whom posted their reactions.

In this story
Merab DvalishviliUmar Nurmagomedov
READ NEXTAli Abdelaziz calls Usman Nurmagomedov's Merab brawl 'unacceptable', apologises to Abu DhabiRead the next story →

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Sources