Incident Aftermath: MMA Fighters Sentenced for Abu Dhabi Brawl
Ten people involved in the altercation were handed prison sentences, while two others received fines.
Eight people have been handed prison sentences for their involvement in a violent altercation between MMA fighters Usman Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili at a hotel in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
The incident began when Russian fighter Nurmagomedov allegedly approached Georgian fighter Dvalishvili from behind, slapping him in the face. Witnesses claim that this physical confrontation sparked a wider melee between the two fighters and their entourages.
A video of the brawl has been widely circulated online, showing multiple individuals clashing in a chaotic scene. In response to the incident, Abu Dhabi police confirmed that 10 people were taken into custody for questioning.
According to official reports, all 10 defendants have been found guilty of contributing to the disturbance and have received prison sentences as a result.
The remaining two defendants have been handed fines of £10,200 each for their roles in disrupting public order and attacking others.
Despite the guilty verdicts, the identities of the defendants remain undisclosed, fueling speculation about those involved in the altercation.
Chad Bronstein, co-founder of Real American Freestyle (RAF), has confirmed that Merab Dvalishvili has been released from custody and is now back with his team in Abu Dhabi.
Bronstein's statement expresses gratitude to the local authorities for their professionalism and support during this period.
Umar Nurmagomedov's replacement in the upcoming bout has been announced, just days after he was involved in a mass brawl with Gegard Dvalishvili's team.
Saba Lazishvili, a teammate of Dvalishvili's who also faced charges over the altercation, has taken Umar's place in the fight. It is unclear what led to his release from custody while others remained behind bars.
The incident was not an isolated one, as Nurmagomedov and Dvalishvili's teams had clashed previously at a RAF event in July, according to UFC champion Islam Makhachev.
Nurmagomedov has been linked with a move to the UFC after winning his last bout with PFL but remains out of contract.
Facts based on reporting originally published by BBC Sport.
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