UFC Champion Merab Dvalishvili Left Bloodied After Alleged Hotel Ambush Involving Usman Nurmagomedov

UFC fighter Merab Dvalishvili has accused rival Usman Nurmagomedov, his brother Umar and their associates of attacking him at a five-star hotel in Abu Dhabi while he was recording an interview ahead of his scheduled fight on Saturday.

The 35-year-old Georgian-American shared footage of the incident on social media, claiming that the group approached him and his companion from behind before launching an assault.

The confrontation disrupted what Dvalishvili had previously described as a normal fight week as he prepared for his upcoming bout.

Journalist Ariel Helwani reported on X in the early hours of Thursday that everyone involved in the hotel altercation was still being detained by local authorities.

Video Shows Dvalishvili Being Punched and Kicked

Footage circulating online appears to show several men approaching Dvalishvili from behind while he is occupied with an interview.

One of the men appears to exchange a few words with the fighter before punching him in the face. Dvalishvili is then struck again and kicked as another man attempts to hold him back.

The UFC star tries to defend himself, but several men become involved in the confrontation. His companion also appears to be attacked during the incident.

The groups are eventually separated, leaving Dvalishvili bloodied and bruised.

Fighter Accuses Rivals of Attacking Him From Behind

After the incident, Dvalishvili posted a video showing him receiving treatment, in which he directly accused Usman and his associates of approaching him unexpectedly.

He said he and his friend had been outnumbered when the group arrived, describing the alleged attack as a cowardly way to confront another fighter.

Dvalishvili challenged those involved to settle their differences inside a fighting arena rather than attacking him while he was with only one companion.

His friend also criticised the alleged attackers for approaching them from behind.

Dvalishvili maintained that he was fine despite his injuries and said the incident demonstrated the character of those he accused of taking part.

Dvalishvili Says Young Georgian Companion Also Fought Back

In a separate social media post, Dvalishvili discussed the involvement of his 21-year-old companion, whom he described as a young wrestler from Georgia.

He claimed the younger man had confronted both Usman and Umar during the incident, despite being significantly outnumbered.

Dvalishvili also said security personnel had been holding him back while punches and kicks were directed at him and his companion.

He again reassured his followers that he was doing well following the confrontation.

Long-Running Rivalry With the Nurmagomedov Brothers

Dvalishvili and the Nurmagomedov family have been involved in a rivalry for more than a year.

The Georgian-American previously faced Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 in January 2025 after a heated build-up to their contest.

Dvalishvili won the fight by unanimous decision, but tensions between the fighters have continued in recent months.

The latest hotel confrontation comes just days before Dvalishvili is due to compete in Abu Dhabi. The circumstances surrounding the incident and the reported detention of those involved remain under scrutiny.