Top-tier mixed martial arts star Usman Nurmagomedov has been officially barred from attending Real American Freestyle’s upcoming marquee event in Abu Dhabi this Saturday. The sweeping decision comes directly in the wake of a chaotic hotel altercation that involved former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili and members of both fighters’ respective camps, sending shockwaves through the international combat sports community.
The unprecedented ruling was confirmed publicly on Thursday by RAF co-founder Chad Bronstein during a heavily attended pre-event press conference. The announcement followed a dramatic escalation of tensions in the region, which also drew a swift and severe response from local law enforcement. According to official statements released by the Abu Dhabi Police, authorities have formally arrested a total of ten individuals in connection with the violent incident. The arrests include eight people directly implicated in the physical altercation at the hotel entrance and two additional individuals accused of recording and filming the brawl to circulate on social media.
Police officials did not release the identities of those detained during the sweep, creating widespread uncertainty across the mixed martial arts world regarding the legal status of high-profile figures such as Nurmagomedov and Dvalishvili.
RAF co-founder Chad Bronstein confirms Usman Nurmagomedov cannot attend as Abu Dhabi Police report 10 arrests
The controversy erupted earlier in the week when jarring footage surfaced online on Wednesday. The video appeared to capture Usman Nurmagomedov, accompanied by several members of his training team, approaching Merab Dvalishvili from behind. At the time of the ambush, the former UFC bantamweight titleholder was in the middle of giving a media interview inside the lobby area of their host hotel. In the widely shared footage, Nurmagomedov appears to strike Dvalishvili unexpectedly, igniting a chaotic and violent brawl that quickly spilled across the hotel entrance as members from both camps rushed into the fray.
Addressing the media at Thursday’s press conference, RAF co-founder Chad Bronstein made it unequivocally clear that the promotion does not condone violence outside of sanctioned competition, emphasizing that the organization takes behavioral standards extremely seriously.
"We’re hoping that the situation gets resolved, sooner than later," Bronstein told reporters at the Thursday press gathering, addressing the gravity of the incident and the ongoing police investigation. "And obviously, Usman will not be attending our event on Saturday night."
The swift disciplinary action taken by the Real American Freestyle promotion underscores the severe logistical and reputational fallout that unauthorized altercations can inflict upon combat sports organizations operating in high-profile international jurisdictions. Abu Dhabi has increasingly established itself as a premier global hub for elite martial arts events, hosting major cards for various global promotions, and local authorities maintain a zero-tolerance policy regarding public disturbances and street-level violence.
The official statement released by the General Command of Abu Dhabi Police on Thursday provided further clarity on the legal ramifications facing the participants, detailing the comprehensive measures taken by law enforcement personnel to restore public order.
"The General Command of Abu Dhabi Police was able to arrest 8 persons involved in a fight that took place at the entrance of a hotel, on the background of previous differences between them," the police statement read, highlighting that the confrontation stemmed from pre-existing tensions and long-standing rivalries between the camps. "They also managed to arrest two persons who filmed the incident, take the necessary legal actions on their right, and refer them to the General Prosecutor to complete the proceedings in accordance with the laws enacted by it."
The unfolding legal situation has cast a heavy cloud of uncertainty over the remainder of the RAF Abu Dhabi fight card, which features several high-stakes matchups scheduled for Saturday, November 14. Merab Dvalishvili is currently booked to face veteran standout Marlon Moraes in a highly anticipated wrestling match at the upcoming event. Simultaneously, Umar Nurmagomedov is scheduled to step onto the mat against combat sports legend Urijah Faber in another marquee attraction designed to draw international attention.
Despite the intense media spotlight and the ongoing police inquiry, neither Dvalishvili nor Umar Nurmagomedov made an appearance at Thursday’s official press conference. Their physical presence and participation status for Saturday night’s bouts remained entirely uncertain as promoters and legal representatives scrambled to navigate the fallout from the hotel altercation. With local authorities actively prosecuting the case through the General Prosecutor’s office, the final lineup for the weekend’s bouts depends heavily on the ongoing legal proceedings and the ability of the athletes to resolve their matters with Abu Dhabi law enforcement.
