Dubai: Usman Nurmagomedov has been sentenced to six months in prison in the United Arab Emirates following his involvement in a violent confrontation with UFC fighter Merab Dvalishvili at a hotel in Abu Dhabi.
According to ESPN, an Abu Dhabi court on Friday, November 13, handed six-month jail sentences to Nurmagomedov and five members of his team over their involvement in Wednesday’s incident at the Yas Hilton hotel. All six were also fined 300,000 UAE dirhams (approximately $81,700) and are set to be deported after completing their prison terms.
The group was convicted of disturbing public security, causing panic and endangering lives.
The altercation reportedly started when Nurmagomedov approached Dvalishvili from behind during an interview connected to the Real American Freestyle (RAF) event and slapped the Georgian fighter. The confrontation quickly escalated into a physical fight, leaving Dvalishvili and his friend Saba Lazishvili injured.
Dvalishvili later described the incident on social media, alleging that Nurmagomedov and members of his team attacked them from behind and continued kicking them after they had fallen to the ground.
Dvalishvili and Lazishvili were also detained following the incident and reportedly spent around two days in custody before being released on Friday. Both received fines of 50,000 dirhams (approximately $13,600) for offences related to disturbing public security and assault.
Two other individuals were also handed six-month prison sentences and financial penalties for recording and circulating footage of the confrontation online.
Nurmagomedov, 28, is the cousin of former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and remains undefeated in professional mixed martial arts, boasting a record of 22 wins and no defeats.
He was in Abu Dhabi to support his brother Umar Nurmagomedov, who had been scheduled to face Urijah Faber at the RAF event.
The latest confrontation is believed to be linked to an ongoing rivalry between the two camps. Dvalishvili defeated Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 in January 2025, while tensions between members of their respective teams had also surfaced during an earlier RAF event in Georgia.
UFC president Dana White strongly criticised the incident during a press conference on Thursday, describing the actions of those involved as irresponsible and unacceptable.
“What a bunch of fucking idiots… It’s absolutely ridiculous and stupid, and they’re all in jail. That is not a place to go fuck around,” White said.
Nurmagomedov’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, subsequently apologised over the incident, while former UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev publicly defended the group.
Dvalishvili, following his release, also expressed a desire for the matter to be resolved peacefully, saying he hoped everyone involved would be released and that he did not wish to press charges.
The incident has already affected RAF’s fight card. The promotion removed Nurmagomedov from its event, while Umar was also withdrawn from his scheduled contest against Faber. Saba Lazishvili is expected to step in as Faber’s replacement.
Dvalishvili, meanwhile, remains scheduled to face Marlon Moraes on Saturday.
The six-month prison sentence and subsequent deportation could also create uncertainty surrounding Usman Nurmagomedov’s previously anticipated move towards the UFC in 2027.
