Merab Dvalishvili was involved in a public brawl in Abu Dhabi with Usman Nurmagomedov and members of his entourage, then taken into police custody for questioning. Video of the confrontation prompted a split response from MMA fighters: some said Dvalishvili was defending himself, while Islam Makhachev argued he had provoked the incident.

Yes, But

Supporters focused on the footage and condemned the group’s actions. Makhachev offered a different account, saying the conflict began earlier when Dvalishvili struck and insulted a Dagestani wrestler.

State of Play
  • Dvalishvili was questioned by police after the Abu Dhabi altercation.
  • Ilia Topuria and Sean Strickland were among the fighters who publicly backed Dvalishvili; Makhachev defended Nurmagomedov.
Bottom Line

The video has turned a personal confrontation into a public feud, but the fighters remain divided over what led to the clash and who was responsible.