Former UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili says he was attacked in Abu Dhabi

Former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili says that Usman Nurmagomedov and his team assaulted him and his friend during a media event in Abu Dhabi. The incident took place while Dvalishvili was doing an interview for Real American Freestyle in a hotel lobby.

The Attack

Ilia Topuria, a former two-division UFC champion, shared a video of the incident online. In the video, Dvalishvili and his friend appear with visible blood and bruises while receiving medical care. Dvalishvili states that multiple people held them down while others struck them from behind.

Reactions

Topuria called the attackers cowards on social media and stated they will be held accountable. Dvalishvili similarly criticized the method of the attack, calling the individuals involved losers and noting that security held him while others landed blows.

Context

Fighters in mixed martial arts sometimes carry long-standing rivalries outside the cage. High-profile altercations at public events can draw intense scrutiny from sports organizations and fans alike.