Dvalishvili Explains Slap After Backstage Grab

Merab Dvalishvili says he slapped Umar Nurmagomedov's friend at RAF Georgia after the man grabbed him by the neck backstage.

The former UFC bantamweight champion defeated Henry Cejudo in a wrestling match at the event in July, then rejected the idea of a wrestling bout with Nurmagomedov in pointed language. Ahmed Gadzhimagomedov, a friend of Nurmagomedov, confronted Dvalishvili over those comments moments later. Dvalishvili responded by slapping him, sparking a brawl.

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Dvalishvili Says He Was Grabbed First

Dvalishvili told Ariel Helwani that Gadzhimagomedov approached him while he was resting and seized him by the neck, yelling in Russian. "I was super relaxed, super chilled and then somebody came and grabbed my neck and pulled me over and started yelling at me in Russian language, which I hardly understand," Dvalishvili said, per Sherdog. He said Gadzhimagomedov mentioned Nurmagomedov's name, which prompted his reaction.

The Georgian said Gadzhimagomedov had no standing to insert himself into the dispute between him and Nurmagomedov. Dvalishvili also repeated his dislike for Nurmagomedov and the fighter's manager, Rizvan Magomedov, who he accused of posting insults about him on social media. Dvalishvili beat Nurmagomedov by decision at UFC 311 in January, handing the Dagestani his first professional loss. He defended the belt twice more before dropping it to Petr Yan. Their trilogy fight is scheduled for UFC 333 on Oct. 24 in Abu Dhabi.

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Nurmagomedov has won two straight since the Dvalishvili loss and faces Yadong Song next at UFC Shanghai.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Merab Dvalishvili explains why he slapped Umar Nurmagomedov’s friend