The fight in Abu Dhabi resulted in Nurmagomedov being sentenced to six months.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", MMA fighter from Dagestan Usman Nurmagomedov and other participants in the fight with former UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili were detained in Abu Dhabi. According to UAE laws, Nurmagomedov faces up to a year in prison.

Nurmagomedov was sentenced to 6 months in prison in Abu Dhabi

Russian mixed martial artist Usman Nurmagomedov has been arrested for 6 months in the UAE, a source told TASS.

The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department reported on Facebook* that eight participants in the fight were sentenced to six months in prison and hefty fines, the agency reports.

According to the brother of Saba Lazishvili, who was also involved in the conflict, Usman Nurmagomedov and two members of his team were sentenced to six months of imprisonment followed by deportation from the country. Additionally, the representatives of the Russian fighter's team were fined 300,000 dirhams (about $81,700), writes "News Georgia".

Dvalishvili and Lazishvili were not sentenced to prison. Each of them must pay a fine of 50,000 dirhams (about $13,600). These expenses, it is claimed, will be covered by the wrestling league RAF (Real American Freestyle), at whose tournament Dvalishvili is scheduled to compete in Abu Dhabi on November 14.

Nurmagomedov's actions have drawn condemnation in the fighting community

The fight involving Usman Nurmagomedov and Georgian Merab Dvalishvili in Abu Dhabi is a disgrace, said Nurmagomedov's manager Ali Abdel-Aziz, apologizing for the fighter's actions.

I want to apologize to the entire city of Abu Dhabi for what happened. It is disgraceful.

"I want to apologize to the entire city of Abu Dhabi for what happened. It is disgraceful. We all make mistakes. But I hope this young man (Usman Nurmagomedov - ed. TASS) learns a good lesson. This should not happen again," Abdel-Aziz's words are quoted by TASS in the MMA Junkie podcast.

Such things never benefit the business; they make everyone involved look bad.

The fight involving Usman Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili in Abu Dhabi is absurd, said UFC president Dana White.

"This is absolutely absurd; they are all in custody. Such things never benefit the business; they make everyone involved look bad," White said, as quoted by Championship Round.

The head of the Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling league, Chad Bronstein, previously stated that Usman Nurmagomedov would not be allowed to attend the tournament. "As for Merab's participation, I hope he will be able to compete. What happened yesterday contradicts the values we promote; this should not happen," Bronstein's words are conveyed by Sport24.

Khabib Nurmagomedov has not publicly commented on the conflict; his last post on social media Instagram* was five days ago.

Recall that Usman Nurmagomedov is a cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov. In November 2023, he was suspended from fights by the California State Athletic Commission after a fight with American Brent Primus. Usman Nurmagomedov was found to have a prescription for a banned substance, but he did not apply for a therapeutic exemption. Nurmagomedov was accused of violating anti-doping rules, and the result of his fight with Primus was overturned.

The temporary disqualification and cancellation of the results of the fight in which Usman Nurmagomedov defended his championship title will not lead to the loss of his championship title, the management of the Bellator sports organization assured afterward.

In September 2024, Usman Nurmagomedov, after a temporary disqualification, defeated Alexander Shabliy and defended the Bellator lightweight championship title.