Merab Dvalishvili, Usman Nurmagomedov Involved in Massive Brawl on Video Ahead of RAF Abu Dhabi

Former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili was involved in a physical altercation with a familiar foe ahead of his scheduled match at Saturday's RAF Abu Dhabi.

Dvalishvili posted an Instagram video saying he and a friend were jumped by former PFL champion and free agent Usman Nurmagomedov, the younger brother of his former opponent, Umar Nurmagomedov.

"Was doing an interview for RAF in hotel lobby and Usman and his buddies came up from behind and started punching me and my young friend," Dvalishvili wrote in the caption (h/t Alexander K. Lee of MMA Fighting). "Security was holding me - They kept kicking us when we were down like losers."

A viral video showed Usman Nurmagomedov confronting Dvalishvili and slapping him in the face before a massive brawl broke out:

"What a sneaky way, just two of us, me and my friend came here in Abu Dhabi, and Usman Nurmagomedov and his friends came like snakes from behind," Dvalishvili said in his Instagram video. "What kind of fighters you guys are? What kind of man does this? If you want to talk and fight, let's do it the real way. You guys came from f--king—just because there's two of us, and you guys were prepared. What the f--k?"

Dvalishvili defeated Umar Nurmagomedov by unanimous decision to successfully defend his UFC bantamweight title at UFC 311 in January 2025. Their rivalry has reignited in recent months, and Dvalishvili said that Umar was present during the brawl.

"We bleed, we fight, we war, but you guys are just sneaky guys," Dvalishvili said. "You guys aren't real men. This shows your guys' character, shows you guys are not real men. What the f--k, guys? If you want to fight, fight. Let's f--king fight. We are fighters. I talk, I'm a real guy, I talk straight, but you guys came from behind. I don't know how many guys you was. All your friends, waiting for us in a sneaky way. Wow, bro. Wow. I knew what kind of guys you are. I just came here in Abu Dhabi and then Usman, Umar, and his friends came in a sneaky way and tried to beat us. So many guys."

Dvalishvili is still scheduled to face Marlon Moraes at Saturday's RAF event, and he assured his fans that he'll recover from the brawl. Still, it's clear that his rivalry with the Nurmagomedovs isn't ending anytime soon.

"I'm fine," Dvalishvili said. "All my friends and family, I'm f--king fine, I'm a fighter. This is nothing for me. Again, it shows what kind of people you guys are."