Sports · Combat Sports · 1 hr ago
Usman Nurmagomedov gets six months in Abu Dhabi after hotel brawl
Usman Nurmagomedov and seven others were sentenced to six months in prison after a fight at a hotel in Abu Dhabi.
The brawl involved UFC fighter Merab Dvalishvili, who was filming an interview for a wrestling event when Nurmagomedov slapped him.
Dvalishvili and his friend Saba Lazishvili fought back against members of Nurmagomedov’s group.
The court also fined the eight men and ordered them deported after their sentences.
Dvalishvili, who was detained for more than 24 hours and later released, said he would not press charges and hopes everyone is freed.
Nurmagomedov had been expected to become a free agent after his PFL contract, but his future with the UFC is now uncertain.
A court in Abu Dhabi convicted 10 people over a hotel brawl involving MMA fighter Usman Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili.
Reports say eight people received six-month prison sentences, fines and deportation orders, while two others were fined without jail time.
The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department did not name the defendants, but multiple reports identified Nurmagomedov among those sentenced.
Dvalishvili said he would not press charges and hoped everyone involved would be released.
Reports differ on whether all 10 defendants received prison sentences.
- Who
- Usman Nurmagomedov, Merab Dvalishvili and eight other people were involved in the case.
- What
- A court convicted 10 people over a hotel brawl. Reports say eight received six-month prison sentences and two were fined.
- When
- The brawl occurred on November 11, 2026; the sentences were reported on November 13.
- Where
- A hotel lobby in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates.
- Why
- The sources report that Nurmagomedov slapped Dvalishvili, triggering a fight. MMA outlets reported the slap was retaliation for an earlier incident involving a friend of Usman’s brother.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A brawl broke out in a hotel lobby in Abu Dhabi after Nurmagomedov slapped Dvalishvili.
Reports said an Abu Dhabi court had convicted 10 people in connection with the brawl and imposed prison sentences or fines.
Dvalishvili said he had been released and hoped everyone involved would be released.
- Defendants
- 10 people convicted, according to the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department
- Prison sentences
- Reports say eight defendants received six months in prison
- Prisoners’ fines
- Dh300,000 each, with deportation after their prison terms, according to reports
- Other fines
- Two defendants were reportedly fined Dh50,000 each without jail time
- Location
- Hotel lobby in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Brawl date
- November 11, 2026
5 sources
Russian MMA fighter Usman Nurmagomedov gets six months in a UAE prison over hotel brawl with former UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili
Merab Dvalishvili calls for Usman Nurmagomedov’s release in first statement since his sentencing
Usman Nurmagomedov, seven others sentenced to Abu Dhabi prison after hotel lobby brawl
Eight sentenced to jail over Nurmagomedov-Dvalishvili brawl
MMA star Usman Nurmagomedov faces six months in prison for Merab Dvalishvili attack
What people are saying
I do hope that they release everyone – I would not press charges.
I want peace and the best for all.
What happened was something unacceptable and should never happen again.
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the relevant authorities in Abu Dhabi for their professionalism and support.
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محكمة أبوظبي تدين 10 متهمين في مشاجرة داخل فندق وتفرض عقوبات بالحبس 6 أشهر وغرامة 300 ألف درهم لكل متهم مع إبعادهم خارج الدولة Abu Dhabi court convicts 10 defendants in hotel brawl, sentencing them to 6 months in prison, a Dh300,000 fine and deportation
Just want to let everyone know I have been released and I am good,healthy and ready to go . I want to thank everyone in Abu Dhabi for your help in resolving this matter. I love visiting Abu Dhabi and am happy to be welcomed. I do hope that they release everyone - i would not
New footage shows Merab Dvalishvili and Saba Lazishvili after being released from the Abu Dhabi detention center 💪 (via @RAFWrestlingUSA)