UFC CEO Dana White has condemned the violent altercation involving Usman Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili in Abu Dhabi, describing those involved as “idiots” following a hotel lobby brawl that resulted in multiple arrests earlier this week.
The incident unfolded on Tuesday ahead of Saturday’s RAF Abu Dhabi event, with footage showing Nurmagomedov approaching Dvalishvili during an interview before striking him across the face. A larger confrontation subsequently erupted, prompting security personnel to intervene before Abu Dhabi police made several arrests.
“What a bunch of fcking idiots,” White said at Thursday’s UFC 334 pre-fight press conference. “It’s absolutely ridiculous and stupid and they’re all in jail. That is not a place to go fck around.”.
Abu Dhabi police subsequently confirmed that multiple individuals had been arrested in connection with the incident, including people filming the confrontation. RAF officials have announced that Usman Nurmagomedov is banned from Saturday’s event, although the participation of Dvalishvili and Usman’s brother Umar remains uncertain. Dvalishvili had been scheduled to face Marlon Moraes, while Umar was due to compete against UFC veteran Urijah Faber.
The confrontation has also raised questions about Usman Nurmagomedov’s potential future in the UFC. The undefeated lightweight recently completed his latest PFL contract and had been regarded as a potential addition to the UFC roster. However, White indicated that no negotiations have taken place, with the fighter remaining subject to an exclusive negotiating period with his current promotion. “He’s still under contract,” White said. “We’re not talking him right now anyway.”
The incident comes amid longstanding tensions between Dvalishvili and members of the Nurmagomedov family, particularly following the Georgian fighter’s rivalry with Umar Nurmagomedov in the UFC bantamweight division. With the status of several participants still unresolved, the altercation has cast uncertainty over Saturday’s RAF event and Usman Nurmagomedov’s immediate fighting future.
