Police Confirm Ten Detentions
Abu Dhabi Police General Command confirmed on Thursday, November 12, that it detained eight people involved in a brawl between the camps of UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili and free agent Usman Nurmagomedov, along with two additional people who filmed the incident. All ten were referred to the Public Prosecution, according to MMA Junkie and The National. In a statement quoted by Ukrainian outlet UNN, police said they “detained 8 people involved in a fight that occurred near the entrance to one of the hotels,” adding that “the necessary legal measures were taken against them.” The National’s own translation of the same statement described the brawl as stemming from “previous disputes between a number of individuals.” The confirmation followed several hours in which only social media accusations, with no police source, had circulated about the incident. The National published its confirmation Thursday afternoon, and MMA Junkie followed several hours later citing the same police statement.
Brawl Broke Out in a Yas Island Hotel Lobby
The incident happened on Wednesday, November 11. Dvalishvili was giving an interview in the lobby of a Yas Island hotel in Abu Dhabi when Usman Nurmagomedov approached him from behind and struck him, according to MMA Junkie. The exchange then drew in several members of both camps, including PFL fighter Amru Magomedov. Footage of the brawl spread widely on social media the following day, before police confirmed their involvement later Thursday. In its statement, Abu Dhabi Police said it would deal firmly with any behavior that threatens public safety or disrupts public order, and called on the public to respect the law, follow regulations and demonstrate responsible, civilized behavior.
Several Nurmagomedovs in Abu Dhabi for a Wrestling Card
Dvalishvili was in Abu Dhabi to face Brazil’s Marlon Moraes in a catchweight match for Real American Freestyle (RAF), set for Saturday, November 14, at Etihad Arena on Yas Island. It is a wrestling card, not an MMA event. Umar Nurmagomedov, a member of the same family and a signed UFC fighter, is on the same card for his RAF debut against American wrestler Urijah Faber. Several members of the Nurmagomedov family were therefore in Abu Dhabi this week, according to reporting by The National.
Usman Nurmagomedov’s UFC Status in Question
Usman Nurmagomedov, undefeated at 22-0 as a professional, ended his contract with the PFL after retaining his lightweight title with a first-round knockout of Archie Colgan. Months of speculation had tied him to a move to the UFC, with most reports treating the promotion’s exclusive negotiating window as already expired. His manager, Ali Abdelaziz, told MMA Junkie that Nurmagomedov remains within that exclusive negotiating period with the UFC, contradicting those reports. Neither the UFC nor the PFL has commented on the Abu Dhabi incident, and no timeline for a signing has been given by either side. For American fans, the question matters beyond the brawl itself: a 22-0 free agent with Nurmagomedov’s résumé would be one of the most notable lightweight additions the UFC roster could make, and the hotel incident now sits in the middle of those negotiations. The episode comes as both organizations have their attention on UFC 334, set for the same weekend at Madison Square Garden, and on PFL Dubai, scheduled for the same day as the Abu Dhabi wrestling card.
Dvalishvili Is Not Pressing Charges
According to journalist Ariel Helwani, everyone involved, including Dvalishvili and a friend at his side, was taken to a police station for questioning, since the fight happened in public and was filmed. The UFC bantamweight champion is not pressing charges. Abu Dhabi Police did not name anyone detained in its statement, and no specific charges have been made public at this stage. The case now rests with the Abu Dhabi Public Prosecution, which will decide whether to pursue charges against the ten people referred to it. Neither Dvalishvili nor Nurmagomedov has issued a fresh statement since the police confirmation, after both camps had traded accusations on social media in the hours before it.
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