Outrage grows over group assault on former UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili

Usman, Umar Nurmagomedov implicated in ambush attack on ex-bantamweight champion

Abu Dhabi police arrest 10; calls mount to block Usman's UFC signing, expel Umar

Former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili bleeding from the face after being ambushed and assaulted by the Usman and Umar Nurmagomedov brothers. [Captured from Merab's social media]

Outrage is spreading across the combat sports world following a group assault on former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili of Georgia. What began as a sucker punch by Usman Nurmagomedov of Russia quickly escalated into a melee, with Usman's older brother Umar Nurmagomedov also joining in — prompting calls to block Usman from signing with the UFC and to expel Umar from the organization.

The incident took place at a hotel in Abu Dhabi, UAE, while Dvalishvili was giving an interview ahead of a grappling event he was scheduled to compete in, the RAF. Usman approached and struck him in the face, and others nearby quickly joined in, turning the confrontation into a group brawl. Footage from the scene showed Dvalishvili surrounded by multiple individuals as the fight broke out.

Usman and Umar are cousins of former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. Umar is a top UFC bantamweight contender who previously fought Dvalishvili for the title, while Usman is a highly regarded lightweight who has been in talks to join the UFC. Both have close ties to the combat sports camp led by Khabib and reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.

The incident triggered a police investigation. Abu Dhabi police announced they had arrested 10 people in connection with the brawl — eight who took part in the fight and two who filmed it. Local media reported that both Dvalishvili and Usman were among those arrested. Dvalishvili sustained facial injuries and bled during the assault, and received medical treatment.

The RAF banned Usman from its Abu Dhabi event on Nov. 14. Umar, who had also been scheduled to compete, saw his participation thrown into doubt after his involvement in the incident.

Fighters and figures across the combat sports community were quick to condemn the assault. UFC fighters Gilbert Burns, Brandon Royval, Ilia Topuria and Matt Frevola were among those who criticized the violence. Condemnation was particularly sharp over the fact that what started as a personal dispute between fighters escalated into a group attack.

Usman Nurmagomedov (left) and his brother Umar Nurmagomedov, who are under police investigation over the group assault on Merab Dvalishvili. The two are also cousins of UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov. [Getty Images]

MMA interviewer Ninamarie Daniels said Usman and those who took part in the assault should be barred from the UFC — in effect publicly opposing the promotion's reported pursuit of a contract with Usman.

Current UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland took an even harder line, saying those involved in the assault deserved a permanent ban. While he did not name Umar directly, his remarks implied that UFC-contracted fighters, including Umar, should also face sanctions.

Voices within the broader combat sports community have similarly called for Usman's UFC signing to be blocked and for Umar to be removed from the roster. The involvement of top-ranked fighters in a group assault has fueled arguments that athletes must be held strictly accountable for their conduct outside the cage.

Even Usman's manager, Ali Abdelaziz, issued a public apology, calling the violence shameful and unacceptable — a notable refusal to defend the incident by someone in Usman's inner circle.

Islam Makhachev, however, defended Usman's side by pointing to past behavior by Dvalishvili, reflecting a split within the combat sports world over who bears responsibility for the incident.

The episode is expected to cast a significant shadow over Usman's prospects of joining the UFC. No contract has been signed, but the public backlash against his signing has introduced new uncertainty into his path forward. Umar, too, faces mounting criticism that will be difficult to escape given his role in the brawl.

yjc@heraldcorp.com