Arman Tsarukyan slams Merab Dvalishvili over altercation

Arman Tsarukyan has come out against Merab Dvalishvili after the former UFC bantamweight champion struck an associate of Umar Nurmagomedov following a wrestling press conference last week.

Dvalishvili got into a physical altercation at RAF Georgia after dismissing a potential wrestling match against Nurmagomedov during media obligations. According to Sherdog, the Georgian called Nurmagomedov "spoiled" when asked about facing him, which prompted a member of Nurmagomedov's camp to approach Dvalishvili after the presser. The confrontation escalated when Dvalishvili reportedly struck the man, triggering a larger melee.

Tsarukyan calls out Dvalishvili's approach

The UFC lightweight contender told Red Corner MMA that Nurmagomedov's friend was only asking Dvalishvili to show respect. "The scuffle began after Merab sucker-punched the guy, who was actually trying to say, 'Don't talk bad about our brother while we are here.' And Merab punched him while he was talking," Tsarukyan said. "From my point of view, it was wrong. They just needed to talk and settle things down."

Tsarukyan added that the two sides eventually resolved the dispute. The fighters were locked in a room where they settled things one-on-one before shaking hands, per his account.

Nurmagomedov also weighed in on social media, questioning whether Dvalishvili would have acted the same way without a crowd present. "On the Caucasus, a man is defined by honor, dignity, and hospitality," he wrote. "My friend only asked why you were talking behind someone's back."

Dvalishvili holds a 21-5 record and recently defeated Henry Cejudo in a wrestling match at the Georgia event. Nurmagomedov stands at 20-1 as a bantamweight contender.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Arman Tsarukyan criticizes Merab Dvalishvili for hitting Umar Nurmagomedov’s friend