# Usman Nurmagomedov jailed for six months after Abu Dhabi hotel brawl
_The PFL lightweight champion was among eight people sentenced by the Abu Dhabi Criminal Court following a brawl linked to Merab Dvalishvili._

- Publisher: Apex Sports News (https://apexsportsnews.in)
- Canonical URL: https://apexsportsnews.in/news/usman-nurmagomedov-jailed-for-six-months-after-abu-dhabi-hotel-brawl
- Author: Rohit, Sports writer (https://apexsportsnews.in/author/rohit)
- Published: 2026-11-13T19:45:28.663Z
- Section: Other Sports
- Topics: Abu Dhabi, Usman Nurmagomedov, Merab Dvalishvili, MMA, PFL, UFC
## Summary

Usman Nurmagomedov and seven others received six-month prison sentences after a hotel brawl in Abu Dhabi linked to Merab Dvalishvili. Ten people were convicted in total, with fines and deportation orders also issued.

## Key takeaways

- Usman Nurmagomedov sentenced to six months in prison
- Brawl occurred at Yas Hilton hotel in Abu Dhabi
- Ten people convicted, including Merab Dvalishvili and Saba Lazishvili
- Nurmagomedov fined 300,000 UAE Dirhams and ordered to be deported
- RAF CEO Chad Bronstein confirmed Dvalishvili is back with the promotion

## Article

Eight people, including PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov, were sentenced to six months in prison by the Abu Dhabi Criminal Court following a brawl linked to former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili, according to The National News.

A total of 10 people were convicted in connection with the incident. Six, including Nurmagomedov, were sentenced to jail for disturbing public security, causing panic and endangering lives. Each was also fined 300,000 UAE Dirhams and ordered to be deported after serving their sentence.

Two others received the same jail term, fine and deportation order for filming and publishing footage of the brawl, while another two - Dvalishvili and Saba Lazishvili, Dvalishvili’s friend - were fined 50,000 UAE Dirhams each.

Footage widely shared on social media appeared to show Dvalishvili, who is due to compete at the Real American Freestyle (RAF) Abu Dhabi event at the Etihad Arena on Saturday, giving an interview in the lobby of the Yas Hilton hotel when he was approached by Nurmagomedov.

In the footage, Nurmagomedov and others approached Dvalishvili from behind before Nurmagomedov appeared to strike him across the face, triggering a brawl involving the two groups.

## Context and background

Dvalishvili and the Nurmagomedovs have some history between them. Dvalishvili had defeated Umar in a UFC bantamweight title bout early last year. Since then, the two sides had been engaging in a war of words.

Nurmagomedov wasn’t supposed to feature in the RAF event but he was in the city to support his older brother, Umar, who was scheduled to face Urijah Faber. However, Umar has now been replaced with Lazishvili.

Dvalishvili was scheduled to face Marlon Moraes in a Catchweight Crossover match at Etihad Arena on Saturday night.

## What happens next

All six jailed individuals, including Nurmagomedov, will be deported after serving their sentence. RAF CEO and co-founder Chad Bronstein said in a statement: “I am pleased to share that Merab Dvalishvili is back with us in Abu Dhabi.

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the relevant authorities in Abu Dhabi for their professionalism and support. ” Dvalishvili is due to compete at the Real American Freestyle Abu Dhabi event at the Etihad Arena on Saturday.

### Convictions and sentences in the Abu Dhabi hotel brawl case

| Person | Role | Sentence | Fine |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Usman Nurmagomedov | PFL lightweight champion | Six months jail | 300,000 UAE Dirhams |
| Five others | Involved in brawl | Six months jail | 300,000 UAE Dirhams |
| Two others | Filmed and published footage | Six months jail | 300,000 UAE Dirhams |
| Merab Dvalishvili | Former UFC bantamweight champion | No jail | 50,000 UAE Dirhams |
| Saba Lazishvili | Dvalishvili’s friend | No jail | 50,000 UAE Dirhams |

### Sources

- [Sportstar](https://sportstar.thehindu.com/other-sports/usman-nurmagomedov-jailed-merab-dvalishvili-mma-fighters-hotel-brawl-abu-dhabi-criminal-court/article71699391.ece)
- [The Independent](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/ufc/usman-nurmagomedov-merab-latest-news-prison-abu-dhabi-b3084591.html)
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