Nurmagomedov Ambushes Dvalishvili Ahead Of RAF Abu Dhabi

Former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili was attacked in a hotel lobby by PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov and his associates ahead of the RAF Abu Dhabi wrestling event this weekend, per MMA Mania.

Dvalishvili posted on Instagram that Nurmagomedov and multiple companions struck him and a companion from behind while he conducted an interview in the hotel. Security personnel restrained the Georgian fighter during the altercation, according to his account. "Usman and his buddies came up from behind and started punching me and my young friend," Dvalishvili wrote. "Security was holding me. They kept kicking us when we were down like losers."

Feud Traces To UFC 311 Rivalry With Umar Nurmagomedov

The confrontation stems from Dvalishvili's rivalry with Usman's cousin Umar Nurmagomedov, who fought the former champion at UFC 311 in early 2025. Dvalishvili escalated tensions himself at RAF Georgia last July when he slapped a member of Umar's corner team at that event, MMA Mania reported.

The former champion criticized Nurmagomedov's tactics in his social media statement. "Usman Nurmagomedov and his friends came like snakes from behind! What kind of fighters are you guys?! What kind of man does this?!" Dvalishvili wrote, calling for a sanctioned contest if Nurmagomedov wanted to fight him properly.

Dvalishvili is scheduled to compete against fellow former UFC fighter Marlon Moraes on the RAF Abu Dhabi card this weekend. No statement from Nurmagomedov or PFL has emerged regarding the incident.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — ‘Snakes from behind!’ Watch PFL’s biggest star ambush, bloody former UFC champ ahead of RAF Abu Dhabi