Dvalishvili Released From Abu Dhabi Jail

Merab Dvalishvili walked free from detention in Abu Dhabi on Thursday after being held for two days following a street brawl with Usman Nurmagomedov and several others, MMA Mania reports.

The UFC bantamweight champion and his friend Saba Lazishvili were arrested Wednesday after authorities responded to a physical altercation in the United Arab Emirates capital. Police detained everyone involved in the fracas, including bystanders filming the incident. According to the report, Lazishvili's brother had warned Thursday morning that both men could remain in custody for two more days before seeing a judge.

Real American Freestyle Secures Release

Real American Freestyle CEO Chad Bronstein worked to secure the fighters' release, per Ariel Helwani. Bronstein posted a statement confirming Dvalishvili's freedom hours after the intervention. "I'm pleased to share that Merab Dvalishvili is back with us in Abu Dhabi," Bronstein wrote. "We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the relevant authorities in Abu Dhabi for their professionalism and support."

The release came after UFC CEO Dana White declined to help, calling the brawl participants a collection of idiots and saying Abu Dhabi is not a place to mess around. Whether Nurmagomedov and the others remain in custody is unclear.

Dvalishvili is scheduled to face Marlon Moraes at a Real American Freestyle event in Abu Dhabi, though the promotion has not confirmed whether that bout will proceed.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Merab Dvalishvili released from Abu Dhabi jail thanks to Real American Freestyle CEO