Usman Nurmagomedov's Merab Dvalishvili Brawl Could Complicate UFC Future

Jun 7, 2025; Newark, New Jersey, UNITED STATES; Merab Dvalishvili (red gloves) prepares to fight Sean OÕMalley (not pictured) in a bantamweight title fight during UFC 316 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Usman Nurmagomedov, younger brother of Umar Nurmagomedov and cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev has found himself in controversy once more, this time with former bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili. Nurmagomedov, a free agent propped for a UFC future may have jeopardized his opportunity.While conducting an interview in a hotel lobby for RAF Wrestling, Usman approaches Merab from behind, startling the Georgian with a slap, leading to a multi-person brawl involving a pack of dagestanis against Merab and his wrestler friend, Saba Lazishvili, who has now gained a significant following due to his success in the brawl. The two Georgians were left bruised and bloodied with Merab on social media calling them “snakes and cowards”Police are now involved with the matter, though Usman Nurmagomedov may have bigger fish to fry regarding his UFC singing, rumoured to be announced during this weekend’s MSG Card. The storyline stemmed from previous altercations with Merab and one of Umar’s friends, where he simply slapped him during a one on one encounter. This was after Merab’s fight with Umar, who had a ton of bad blood in the build up.UFC Welterweight Champion, Islam Makhachev attempted to defend his cousin by stating that Merab’s actions lead to this, though a large majority of UFC fans and fighters have pointed out the cowardly act of attacking in a pack, against two smaller fighters. Ambushing with a slap is also quite different from standing face to face with someone and then slapping them.Obviously, there is an ongoing police investigation on the matter which could result in legal consequences. Moreover, Usman has a history of trouble with the police in his native land and even raiding the Octagon following his brother’s vicious knockout loss, which almost resulted in a brawl in what manny glossed over as brotherly love and affection.Usman is undoubtedly the most talented free agent and now there’s a storyline being developed as Ilia Topuria voiced his opinion on the matter. Dana White and the UFC could be seeing that rivalry becoming an ideal fight in the future between both. In my opinion, I don’t think the UFC will sway away from signing Usman, though there could be some consequences in the future if anything minor does occur. Of course, we now wait to see what are the criminal repercussions of this whole incident.