UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has spoken out about a mass brawl involving Usman Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili at a hotel in Abu Dhabi, infohub.kz reports.
In an Instagram post, Makhachev defended Usman. "To those now condemning Usman and the guys and sending them insults: why were you silent when Merab hit a Dagestani wrestler for no reason and insulted his honor? The man came up to talk to him with no ill intent. What happened today, Merab started back home, allowing himself to hit a guest and insult his mother," Makhachev wrote.
Dvalishvili had earlier said that Nurmagomedov and his friends "attacked him and wrestler Sabu Lazishvili from behind" at the Abu Dhabi hotel. The Georgian athlete posted video on social media showing himself bloodied and with serious facial injuries.
Footage posted by Red Corner MMA shows Nurmagomedov (in a black cap), accompanied by several people, indeed approaching Dvalishvili from behind. The Georgian turned around, and the Russian slapped him. One of the Russian's associates then kicked Dvalishvili, after which a mass brawl broke out.
Former UFC champion Ilya Topuria of Georgia later said Nurmagomedov had been detained.