A sneak attack by PFL champion Usman Nurmagomedov on former UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili in Abu Dhabi has caused an uproar in the MMA community.
While interviewing with reporters in a hotel lobby, Dvalishvili was approached by Nurmagomedov and then struck in the face, sparking a huge brawl. A bloodied Dvalishvili posted a video of himself receiving treatment, while sending a message to Nurmagomedov and his team about the attack from behind.
Dvalishvili is in Abu Dhabi to wrestle against Marlon Moraes at a Real American Freestyle event. Usman is also present for the same event, as his brother Umar is set to compete against Urijah Faber. There is history between the opposing parties, which boiled over violently.
The videos of Dvalishvili and the
attack itself drew plenty of reaction online from the MMA community.
Check out reactions to the incident below:
Usman has reportedly been detained, along with the cowards who were with him.
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) November 11, 2026
And these are the same people who dare to preach about humility and respect? What a disgrace. A bunch of absolute cowards.
I always thought you were a bunch of mediocre individuals. Now you’ve removed… https://t.co/crZZVzK2ae
Ilia Topuria goes OFF on Usman Nurmagomedov and the "absolute cowards" who jumped Merab Dvalishvili in Abu Dhabi. pic.twitter.com/3RW29s4BCU
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) November 11, 2026
Merab Dvalishvili is like a brother to me. Seeing that video of him getting attacked made me sick to my stomach. Those cowards must pay for what they did. A premeditated attack, with their phones already filming. A bunch of degenerates. The UFC banned Dillon Danis after HE got… pic.twitter.com/bJVQ5kVUAl
— Nina-Marie Daniele (@Ninadrama) November 11, 2026
Islam Makhachev issues a statement after Usman Nurmagomedov's brawl with Merab Dvalishvili. pic.twitter.com/V03BizUUxE
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) November 11, 2026
Marlon Moraes who is set to wrestle Merab Dvalishvili at RAF Abu Dhabi says he hopes that their match will still happen this Saturday. pic.twitter.com/zFVJG5Yc0m
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) November 11, 2026
You gottta be fucking scum of the earth to do that to such an amazing person like Merab.
— Matt “The Steamrolla”Frevola (@SteamRollaa) November 11, 2026
Lock these rats up and throw away the key. 🐀 🐱
🇬🇪 Roman Dolidze condemns the attack on fellow Georgian Merab Dvalishvili in Abu Dhabi, calling the actions of Usman Nurmagomedov and his team completely unacceptable.
— FREAK.MMA (@FREAKMMA1) November 11, 2026
“Our Georgian strength is in our unity, in the truth.” pic.twitter.com/5PxeepaGGb
WTF!!!!! I hope merab sues them for millions.
— Tim Welch (@TimwelchMT) November 11, 2026
Alex Hernandez and Brandon Royval react to footage of Usman Nurmagomedov and his team jumping Merab Dvalishvili:
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) November 11, 2026
“That's the most lame, deplorable shit of all time.
Walking up, they've already got the camera out. They had a huddle, discussed it, and then walked over, tapped… pic.twitter.com/7srYOsGdrf
"Objectively, what happened to Merab was criminal behavior."
— Uncrowned (@uncrownedcombat) November 11, 2026
What repercussions, if any, will the Usman-Merab fight have? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/1pVfkIQH1e
🚨 MMA fighters react to the Usman vs Merab incident pic.twitter.com/hhC09P2UtA
— FightLuck (@FightluckBet) November 11, 2026
What happened to Merab was a cowardly act, those stinking Russians hang out with a bunch of other pieces of shit just like them because, on their own, they’re nothing but crawling vermin, I think this is still sadness over the little brother who was slaughtered in the cage.
— Vinicius "LokDog" Oliveira (@LokdogVinicius) November 11, 2026
Sean Strickland reacts to Merab getting jumped by Usman Nurmagomedov
— Dovy🔌 (@DovySimuMMA) November 11, 2026
Says everyone should get a lifetime ban pic.twitter.com/NYbAhVXsJ9
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: ‘Pathetic and cowardly’: MMA community reacts to Usman Nurmagomedov jumping Merab Dvalishvili
