Abu Dhabi police arrest 8 people after hotel fight
Police also arrested 2 people who filmed the incident. A wrestler’s brother identified Georgian athletes Merab Dvalishvili and Saba Lazishvili among those detained.
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Abu Dhabi police said they arrested 8 people involved in a fight at a hotel entrance and 2 others who filmed it. Police said the fight followed previous disputes and that those arrested were referred to the General Prosecutor to complete the legal proceedings.
The confrontation took place on 11 November as Georgian mixed martial arts fighter Merab Dvalishvili was giving an interview. Video appeared to show Russian fighter Usman Nurmagomedov approach Dvalishvili from behind and slap him before a wider fight broke out.
Latest · 13 November 2026
Six were sentenced for disturbing public security, causing panic and endangering lives, and two for violating privacy by filming and publishing footage of the fight. The report did not establish the defendants’ identities. Separately, Real American Freestyle said Georgian fighter Merab Dvalishvili was out of custody. Georgian media also reported that wrestler Saba Lazishvili was released, though that has not been officially confirmed.
Brother identifies detained athletes; release reported
Zviad Lazishvili identified Dvalishvili and his brother, Georgian wrestler Saba Lazishvili, as having been detained, OC Media said. The identification came from Lazishvili’s brother, not the police statement.
Georgian media later said Dvalishvili and Saba Lazishvili had been released. Their reported release has not been officially confirmed.
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- BBC SportNurmagomedov slaps Dvalishvili to spark hotel brawl
- MMA FightingUsman Nurmagomedov banned from attending RAF Abu Dhabi after attacking Merab Dvalishvili
- OC MediaUFC fighters Merab Dvalishvili, Usman Nurmagomedov among those arrested after UAE hotel fight
- Civil.geBrawl Erupts After Russian MMA Fighter Nurmagomedov Slaps Georgian Merab Dvalishvili in Abu Dhabi
- MMA FightingUsman Nurmagomedov, 7 others reportedly sentenced to 6 months in jail for attack on Merab Dvalishvili
- MMA FightingRAF releases update on Merab Dvalishvili’s status following hotel brawl with Usman Nurmagomedov