Islam Makhachev defends Usman Nurmagomedov following Merab Dvalishvili altercation

Islam Makhachev has actually safeguarded long time training partner Usman Nurmagomedov following the violent run-in including previous UFC bantamweight champ Merab Dvalishvili in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, recommending that the Georgian was accountable for intensifying stress in between the 2 camps.

Video footage flowing online revealed Nurmagomedov approaching Dvalishvili from behind throughout an interview at a hotel ahead of Saturday’s Real American Freestyle (RAF) occasion. Nurmagomedov appeared to slap Dvalishvili, triggering a brawl including numerous members of their particular entourages. Dvalishvili later on shared video of his bloodied face and implicated Nurmagomedov and his partners of introducing a surprise attack.

Makhachev, a buddy and training partner of the Nurmagomedov household, consequently required to Instagram to question the criticism directed towards those included. “To those who are now condemning Usman and the guys, they are composing insults to them, why were you quiet when Merab struck a Dagestani wrestler for absolutely nothing and harm his honour?” Makhachev composed. “The guy approached him to talk without malice.”

The UFC champ went on to recommend that an earlier fight including Dvalishvili and a Dagestani wrestler had actually added to Wednesday’s occurrence. “Merab began what took place today in his homeland by enabling himself to strike a visitor and insulting his mom,” Makhachev included. His remarks come amidst longstanding stress in between Dvalishvili and the Nurmagomedov camp, consisting of the Georgian’s competition with Usman’s older bro Umar, whom he beat in a UFC bantamweight title battle in 2025.

The occurrence has actually drawn in substantial criticism from throughout the MMA neighborhood, with Ilia Topuria, Sean Strickland and Sean O’Malley amongst those to discuss the conflict. Topuria declared that Nurmagomedov and a number of partners had actually been apprehended following the brawl, although authorities in Abu Dhabi have actually not openly validated those reports. Nurmagomedov himself has yet to release a declaration attending to the occurrence.

Both camps remain in Abu Dhabi ahead of Saturday’s RAF occasion, where Dvalishvili is arranged to complete versus previous UFC bantamweight competitor Marlon Moraes, while Umar Nurmagomedov is set to deal with UFC experienced Urijah Faber. RAF authorities have yet to openly deal with the run-in or validate whether Dvalishvili’s involvement in case will be impacted.