Russian mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Usman Nurmagomedov has been arrested in the United Arab Emirates for a period of six months following a confrontation with Georgian fighter and former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili. The incident took place in Abu Dhabi. This was reported by the TASS news agency.

Earlier, Abu Dhabi police announced that several people had been detained following a mass altercation at the entrance to a hotel. According to media reports, Usman Nurmagomedov was among those detained. Two other individuals who recorded the incident on video were also arrested. The relevant cases have been referred to the prosecutor’s office. The police statement noted that the confrontation occurred after several previous disagreements between the parties.

On Wednesday, Merab Dvalishvili alleged that Usman Nurmagomedov and his friends had attacked him and an acquaintance on a hotel terrace. At the time, the Georgian fighter was giving an interview for the Real American Freestyle (RAF) promotion. Dvalishvili also shared a video showing his face covered in blood. Spanish fighter of Georgian origin Ilia Topuria also reported that Nurmagomedov had been detained following the altercation.

Under the criminal legislation of the United Arab Emirates, fights and altercations in public places are treated as offences against public order and personal safety, regardless of whether the parties involved file complaints against one another.

In January 2025, Merab Dvalishvili faced Umar Nurmagomedov, Usman Nurmagomedov’s elder brother, at UFC 311. Dvalishvili won by unanimous decision and retained his championship belt. In October 2026, however, he lost to Russian fighter Petr Yan in a title bout at UFC 333, held in Abu Dhabi.