# Islam Makhachev defends Usman Nurmagomedov's brutal attack on Merab Dvalishvili in Abu Dhabi

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-11-12 09:40 UTC · Category: Sports

## Executive Summary
Abu Dhabi hotel brawl involving UFC fighters Merab Dvalishvili and Usman Nurmagomedov triggers arrests, event bans, and widespread condemnation across the combat sports world.

## Intelligence Brief
Merab Dvalishvili and Saba Lazishvili remain in police custody in Abu Dhabi following an ambush by Usman Nurmagomedov’s entourage, according to Yahoo Sports coverage dated November 11, 2026. The coverage does not yet specify the exact injuries sustained or the precise charges filed against those detained.


Islam Makhachev has defended Nurmagomedov by blaming Merab Dvalishvili for sparking the feud at UFC Georgia that led to the attack, Yahoo Sports reports. Ali Abdelaziz condemned Nurmagomedov’s conduct as unacceptable. UFC fighters have reacted to the ambush, and Sports Illustrated reports that UFC star Ilia Topuria went off on Usman Nurmagomedov after the Merab Dvalishvili attack. Yahoo Sports also published commentary asking whether the cowardly attack will test the UFC’s moral compass. The coverage does not yet specify whether the UFC has issued an official disciplinary statement.


The incident follows a pre-existing feud between the camps that became visible at UFC Georgia, according to Makhachev’s comments as relayed by Yahoo Sports. Dvalishvili is a UFC fighter, and Nurmagomedov is associated with the Nurmagomedov fighting camp. The brawl took place at a hotel in Abu Dhabi, a city that regularly hosts major combat sports events. The coverage does not yet specify what triggered the initial confrontation at UFC Georgia or whether any weapons were involved in the hotel brawl.


Observers should watch for whether Usman Nurmagomedov faces formal charges in Abu Dhabi, whether the UFC imposes sanctions on any of the fighters involved, and whether Dvalishvili and Lazishvili remain in custody or are released. The coverage does not yet specify court dates, potential suspensions, or any planned rematch or rematch-related fallout between the camps.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| Yahoo Sports | Merab Dvalishvili And Saba Lazishvili Still in Police Custody Following Ambush by Usman Nurmagomedov’s Entourage | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikgFBVV95cUxQY0NZcDF5V1NldFpCNktJX0hDcmNtbEJPVVVTdTZkWFJtWXVQenpTR3JFM0N0ZmJ5UWUzSWJIMkp0UDFleXB4Ym9Ya0R0OVJsb0phM1pIdERaNEM4dnc2NkpFU3FYSmN5b0ZsTXRrcnNpczFCTnlhZkNLbTE5TU5UWjhhV0hZVklWcmJNRkh5ZjFCUQ?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | Ali Abdelaziz condemns Usman Nurmagomedov's 'unacceptable' Abu Dhabi brawl | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilgFBVV95cUxNZnpQQXJFZlJtR1FCZWxsa3Q5OWNnVFhmM1ZTWHM4UzV2SndPY0kzWW1mZmVHZGtjNnNwWEtTa3ZTWE1CcWVGamh4ZHZtZllQZnY1ZVlQYnZoX2l5WHZCRzEweTUwMUJfZVhpQlhxMmp1dGJkdFhhOURqQXJvREc5Y1ZWd3VWdGhhM0lmb0xVRnFnWUEtc3c?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | Eight people arrested after Abu Dhabi hotel brawl; Usman Nurmagomedov barred from RAF event | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi2gFBVV95cUxQR2dvc0FuRFNXRWhuOTBsSTdVU2w5Tm9YN0JJZTUyNHRKZnZQNWs0RGpyaDN5UDFrRFRCTDhRX0dsZ1JrOXhoTDJjY0h6aWQ1U05QbndpMExNYkJvQnhGUHVtZWN4ZmJZTHdiSi1HSWxVOWNLbzNjclRPYjJia21pYUw1Y2lMV21GQnhDcEdBZ2c1THNJQ0NQZ29KUlhNZzZzQ3FRa2FpTGpVdmwzLWMxbFBIUGQ2RWFORTN4bjNkcWpDY1BYeXJDaWlhSVVZRG5EU3Vmc2NpSUZsQQ?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | Islam Makhachev Blames Merab Dvalishvili for Sparking Feud at UFC Georgia That Led to Usman Nurmagomedov’s Attack | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikwFBVV95cUxNRGRCV0k5WXdJMTVXT2Mza2RtTGpvYjZtUk9hLVRET3g0Y2NvMm80X2hTSENUMTd5TnlVdHhUZ05EbGNXSzR4VUJJanlLZG9hTEtrdWxfNnhiVXRuNk9EOVpJU3hJelI1aDh1cmZWM0FGMGl4aFRBRUZ4c1RnSXJIVXdiaUJ3MjcyUl9MdU5EbWJCblU?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | UFC fighters react to Merab Dvalishvili being ambushed by Usman Nurmagomedov's entourage | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijgFBVV95cUxPQXNFUG9XM0JtRU5PLUFKU3liNDhQZ1gxRzgtVWZFOVkwQXd5R1YycVF0NDRpbHdSTXk3UXBwUGxMSXVSaXYxdHhZdElrM0lUa3JSVk9nR2JrOFFnTnRYcHc1QS12dUFLclVFcHhoMWlXajRDVTl1bWtaUWs3NTIzZHZkaFllVGdmOGJzcTFn?oc=5) |
| Sports Illustrated | UFC Star Ilia Topuria Goes Off on Usman Nurmagomedov After Merab Dvalishvili Attack | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisgFBVV95cUxQRE1xZzgweHYwTW13Wk8xbV9zWmlvNkl0ZlVkVy01UzhmTmxOUzBBNVFObnJCdU8wRmpScHFFdkg4TFItemdnbkZOZklxNEFHVTRWdkVmUFoxZE5teWhUZHBGUEUyeWF0U3d4VmxTLUFWdnJGaTdQd2YwUWM1MkNvLUJQTVVGdGt4S2xxZEw2eURIT1pudmJYYUVNWEM4cTVhMTZ2Vmt6YWp1WHIyN1poX1BB?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | Will Usman Nurmagomedov’s cowardly attack test the UFC’s moral compass? | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikgFBVV95cUxPNWVSRE5xcHIzNEYxdnFibmY2MFZRNjhqVjl1cDBOWXlyVUt4X1AwNnVtV3l4QWM2LTVuQTdQVUk3dEpjQXlta1daSUhVZmdvOWpiZTRYZzRtMkhqWEtTZEY3N1JPOC1VZEpZeGZVRERuLVVrNGt4N00wZzR0dHc5ZlBuMlpaRFVRcERMUlVTTnBfUQ?oc=5) |
| Reuters | Abu Dhabi police arrest 10 after Nurmagomedov and Dvalishvili hotel brawl | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiwAFBVV95cUxPUGxVNnZOVWtLWUlBU0hJa3dVQTNpV2w5TDRxemFQd2xLNmM4Z2hRcnZNcmlkTG1LODhrRG82bk8tZDBHXzlscWhoc1VUQVpaMkdaLUppN1N5NlJfTmNGRFR5eGtSX1ptNWJERFBxX1VqSzJuVXkyaFdpcmVTbTFTaGhmY242bWMxaTlrdnAtM3hJYlhvSjdxVXlwVXExTEt3dDhQTlkwUnphUlQ4ZFdCX2ZZNVNvOUs1UFBqV1d2TmI?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | UFC’s Merab Dvalishvili ambushed by Usman Nurmagomedov and group in Abu Dhabi | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijgFBVV95cUxPVVVydGJ2WklETzl2MFozVF9ITll0OTk2bDJ1MFlvVWgxQ19SU3VwOWtOQXBBdUxaVUNaVWQydVlSeUVQSUk4akU2NlBrY1h2VzQ5a2k2anJVN2RfUUN2dnFjenh5QWJVU3lERzBIMFREeG1HSkpYaGpMX0d5VURzTFdGcFpyVXRXNE9kdmxR?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-11-12/islam-makhachev-defends-usman-nurmagomedov-s-brutal-attack-on-merab-dvalishvili*