The global sporting community has rallied around UFC star Merab Dvalishvili following a shocking and unprovoked incident in Abu Dhabi, where the bantamweight standout and his associate, Saba Lazishvili, were ambushed from behind. The altercation, which has drawn widespread condemnation across both mixed martial arts and mainstream sports circles, prompted fierce backlash from high-profile figures—most notably Paris Saint-Germain football star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who unleashed a scathing critique against Usman Nurmagomedov and his entourage.
The unsettling confrontation took place in a hotel lobby ahead of Dvalishvili’s scheduled appearance at an RAF Event in Abu Dhabi. According to reports surrounding the incident, Dvalishvili was targeted from behind by Nurmagomedov and members of his team in what many have decried as a cheap shot. Despite being heavily outnumbered and caught completely off guard, Dvalishvili and Lazishvili mounted a valiant defense, refusing to back down against overwhelming odds.
While "The Machine" walked away from the scuffle visibly bloodied, his resilience in the face of a cowardly attack instantly sparked a massive wave of solidarity across social media platforms. Fans, organizations, and elite athletes alike stepped forward to condemn the actions of the attacking party and praise the Georgian fighters for maintaining their composure and fighting spirit under fire.
Among the most vocal defenders of the bruised athletes was Georgian football icon Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The PSG winger took to his Instagram stories to deliver a powerful message of support to Dvalishvili and Lazishvili while launching a fierce verbal assault on the Dagestani group allegedly responsible for the deed.
Kvaratskhelia did not mince words when addressing the nature of the ambush, contrasting the honorable conduct of his countrymen with the tactics of their attackers. In his emotional statement shared with his millions of followers, Kvaratskhelia wrote:
"Merab, Saba! Thank you and we are with you! Show the world once again what it means to be Georgian, man and human. Unlike those who cowardly, stealing from behind and unequally try to oppress you, men do not behave like that and of course they did not succeed and will never succeed with Georgians."
The footballer’s public stance underscored the deep national pride and fierce solidarity shared among Georgian athletes competing on the world stage, amplifying the condemnation of the Abu Dhabi incident far beyond the traditional boundaries of combat sports.
Israel Adesanya and Other MMA Stars Offer Words of Support to Merab Dvalishvili
Kvaratskhelia was far from the only prominent name in sports to voice outrage over the incident and offer words of encouragement to Dvalishvili. The MMA community swiftly mobilized online, flooding the UFC star’s social media channels with messages expressing solidarity, disgust at the nature of the attack, and admiration for his toughness.
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya was among the high-profile fighters to comment on Dvalishvili’s post regarding the altercation. "The Last Stylebender," known for his outspoken nature and strong code of ethics within martial arts, didn’t hold back in his assessment of the perpetrators. Adesanya weighed in with a sharp critique, writing:
"Snakes may shed their skin, but will always be snakes. You’re both the victors when it’s all said and done."
Adesanya’s sentiment resonated deeply with fans and fighters alike, reinforcing the narrative that ambush tactics and numerical advantages have no place in professional sports or martial arts culture.
Another notable voice to chime in was elite middleweight contender Marvin Vettori. The Italian fighter, who has long established a reputation for toughness and a willingness to face anyone inside the Octagon, praised Dvalishvili’s relentless character in the aftermath of the chaotic lobby scene. Vettori expressed his unwavering backing for his fellow UFC athlete by commenting:
"Merab the machine never backs down."
The chorus of reactions extended beyond the men’s divisions, with top-tier female fighters also expressing disbelief at the conduct displayed in Abu Dhabi. Prominent fighter Dakota Ditcheva added her voice to the growing list of sports figures condemning the actions of Nurmagomedov and his camp, pointing out the contradiction between such behavior and the standards expected of elite competitors. Ditcheva shared her thoughts on the situation, writing:
"And we call ourselves ‘professional athletes’… hope ur okay."
The widespread outcry from athletes spanning football, mixed martial arts, and various weight classes highlights a collective refusal within the athletic community to normalize or tolerate pre-meditated ambushes and physical altercations outside of sanctioned competition. As investigations and discussions continue surrounding the chaotic events in Abu Dhabi, Dvalishvili and Lazishvili have received an outpouring of international backing that firmly positions them as the honorable figures in an otherwise unfortunate episode.
