Red Corner MMA has released footage showing the start of a mass brawl involving mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters Usman Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili, infohub.kz reports.
Dvalishvili had earlier said that Nurmagomedov and his friends "attacked him from behind" at a hotel in Abu Dhabi, along with wrestler Sabu Lazishvili. The Georgian athlete posted a video on social media showing himself bloodied and with serious facial injuries.
The footage published 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.
The post was reposted by another former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) champion from Georgia, Ilia Topuria. He said Nurmagomedov had been detained.
"Reports say Usman was detained along with those cowards who were with him. And these are the same people who dare to preach about humility and respect? What a disgrace. A bunch of complete cowards. I always considered you a crowd of mediocrities. Now you have dispelled the last doubts. Honor, respect and humility are not words you preach. They are values you live by. And you have shown none of them," Topuria wrote on X.
There has been no official comment from Nurmagomedov or his representatives as of publication. Dvalishvili also mentioned that Umar Nurmagomedov took part in the attack, but he is not visible in the Red Corner footage.
The Georgian is scheduled to fight at a RAF wrestling league event on November 14 in Abu Dhabi. Umar Nurmagomedov is also on the card. The same day, Dubai will host an event for the PFL MMA league, of which Usman Nurmagomedov is a champion.