UFC president Dana White has delivered a blunt assessment of the altercation between Usman Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili in Abu Dhabi, describing those involved as “f***ing idiots” after police made multiple arrests. The incident has also raised questions about Nurmagomedov’s potential future in the UFC, particularly after the promotion had been linked with the highly regarded lightweight in recent weeks.
Dana White condemns Abu Dhabi brawl and arrests
White addressed the confrontation at the UFC 334 pre-fight press conference on Thursday, November 12, after being asked about the fight that left Dvalishvili bloodied and several people in police custody.“What a bunch of fing idiots,” White said. “It’s absolutely ridiculous and stupid and they’re all in jail. That is not a place to go f around.”The UFC president later offered a further assessment when approached by New York street journalist Adam Glyn, reiterating his concern about the impact of the incident on everyone involved.“That stuff is never good for business. It makes everyone involved look bad. It’s unfortunate. Now they’re all in jail in Abu Dhabi. We’ll see how that goes,” White said.The confrontation took place on Wednesday, November 11, at a hotel in Abu Dhabi, where Nurmagomedov interrupted Dvalishvili during an interview ahead of the Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling event. Footage circulating online showed Nurmagomedov approaching the Georgian fighter and slapping him before the situation escalated into a wider fight involving members of both groups.Dvalishvili subsequently shared footage showing his bloodied face, alleging that he and a friend had been attacked by Nurmagomedov and several members of his entourage. The incident prompted Abu Dhabi Police to confirm 10 arrests, with eight people detained over their alleged involvement in the fight and two others arrested for filming it. All those detained were referred to the Public Prosecution, although authorities have not identified the individuals arrested or confirmed whether Nurmagomedov or Dvalishvili was among them.
Usman Nurmagomedov banned from RAF event as fight cards face uncertainty
The incident occurred just days before RAF’s first event in the Middle East, scheduled for Saturday, November 14, in Abu Dhabi. Dvalishvili was due to face Marlon Moraes, while Umar Nurmagomedov, Usman’s brother, was scheduled to compete against Urijah Faber.RAF co-founder Chad Bronstein confirmed that Usman had been banned from attending the event following the hotel confrontation. However, there has been no equivalent confirmation concerning Umar or Dvalishvili, leaving uncertainty over whether the two scheduled bouts will proceed as planned.Umar was also reportedly involved in the wider altercation, although the precise circumstances and individual roles remain subject to the police investigation. The arrests have added another complication to an event already facing scrutiny because of the confrontation between the two camps.The rivalry between the fighters also has an established sporting history. In early 2025, Dvalishvili retained his UFC bantamweight championship by defeating Umar on points. Umar subsequently suffered another setback in August when Song Yadong knocked him out.Usman entered the cage after that defeat and appeared to elbow Song as the Chinese fighter celebrated by running around the octagon. The incident attracted criticism, although many viewers considered the contact accidental. His latest confrontation with Dvalishvili has now brought renewed attention to his conduct outside competition.
Will the incident affect Usman Nurmagomedov’s potential UFC move?
The timing of the confrontation is particularly significant because Nurmagomedov has been linked with a move to the UFC. The Russian, a cousin of former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, is widely regarded as one of the leading fighters in his division outside the promotion and had attracted considerable interest as a potential signing.However, White played down the immediate possibility of negotiations when asked about Nurmagomedov’s situation at Thursday’s press conference.“He’s still under contract [with the PFL]. We’re not talking him right now anyway,” White said.His comments also addressed speculation that Nurmagomedov was already a free agent after completing his most recent PFL contract. White’s clarification indicates that, from the UFC’s perspective, the Russian remains under contract with the organisation.The Abu Dhabi incident could nevertheless complicate his prospects if he eventually becomes available. The footage showing the initial slap and the subsequent group confrontation has attracted widespread criticism, while the police investigation and potential legal consequences introduce considerations beyond his record inside the cage.There has been speculation that the incident could weaken Nurmagomedov’s negotiating position or affect the financial terms of a potential UFC agreement. However, White has not announced any disciplinary decision or ruled out signing him in the future. For now, his position is that the fighter remains under contract with the PFL, and the UFC is not discussing a deal with him.
