Hilton Abu Dhabi Brawl Leaves UFC Champion Bloodied—Guests Who Filmed It Arrested

A former UFC champion was recording an interview in the lobby of the Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island when another fighter walked up, slapped him across the face, and set off a group brawl that left the man bloodied. Abu Dhabi police have since announced 10 arrests: eight people over the fight, and two more for filming it. On Wednesday, November 11, Merab Dvalishvili was doing promotional work for Saturday’s Real American Freestyle wrestling event when Usman Nurmagomedov and several companions approached him Dvalishvili turns toward Nurmagomedov, who speaks to him and then slaps him. Then the melee spreads through the lobby. 🚨 Full footage of the scuffle between Usman Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili https://t.co/SGJzkQdFif — Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) November 11, 2026 Dvalishvili and wrestler Saba Lazishvili were left visibly injured. Dvalishvili says they were ambushed by a group he described as roughly 20 people, and that the beating continued while security restrained him. 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. Security was holding me – They kept kicking us when we were down like losers. The two men weren’t even scheduled to face each other. Dvalishvili was suppposed to wrestle Marlon Moraes at Etihad Arena on November 14. Usman wasn’t competing. He was there to support his older brother Umar, who was booked against Urijah Faber. Dvalishvili defeated Umar in a UFC title fight in January 2025 so there seems to be a grudge. Fighter Islam Makhachev says Dvalishvili had previously insulted the assailant’s mother. Everyone involved, including Dvalishvili and Lazishvili, remained detained. Real American Freestyle has barred Usman from attending Saturday’s event. The video lets everyone see who approached whom and how the confrontation began. Arresting people for recording that gives seems very Abu Dhabi. Topics on this page