White Blasts Nurmagomedov After Dvalishvili Attack

UFC president Dana White condemned the hotel lobby brawl that led to multiple arrests in Abu Dhabi this week, including Usman Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili.

The altercation erupted Tuesday when Nurmagomedov approached Dvalishvili during an interview and slapped him, setting off a melee that required security intervention, MMA Fighting reports. Abu Dhabi police arrested everyone involved, including people recording the incident.

White's Response and UFC Implications

Speaking at the UFC 334 pre-fight press conference Thursday, White did not mince words about the incident or the fighters who participated in it, per MMA Fighting.

The clash threatens to derail Saturday's RAF Abu Dhabi card, where Dvalishvili was scheduled to face Marlon Moraes and Umar Nurmagomedov was set to fight Urijah Faber. RAF officials have banned Usman Nurmagomedov from the event, though updates on the other fighters' statuses remain unclear.

Nurmagomedov recently completed his PFL contract and was considered a top free agent target for the UFC. White said the promotion has not held any discussions with him and noted he remains under an exclusive negotiating period with the PFL. Abu Dhabi police released a statement Thursday confirming the arrests but provided no timeline for when those detained might be freed.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — ‘What a bunch of f*cking idiots’: Dana White reacts to Usman Nurmagomedov attacking Merab Dvalishvili