Islam Makhachev defends Usman Nurmagomedov's brutal attack on Merab Dvalishvili in Abu Dhabi
Yahoo Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev defended Usman Nurmagomedov following Nurmagomedov's violent attack on Merab Dvalishvili in Abu Dhabi, blaming Dvalishvili for initiating the conflict by slapping and insulting a Dagestani fighter.
- The incident escalated longstanding tensions between Dvalishvili and the Nurmagomedov brothers, stemming from previous altercations and a heated grudge match at UFC 311 in January 2025.
- Video footage showed Usman Nurmagomedov and associates attacking Dvalishvili in a hotel lobby, leaving him and a friend bloodied, which sparked widespread criticism within the MMA community.
- Both Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov are scheduled to compete at the upcoming RAF freestyle wrestling event in Abu Dhabi, but their participation remains uncertain following the attack.
- Makhachev, closely connected to the Nurmagomedov family through mentorship and friendship, emphasized that the initial provocation came from Dvalishvili, questioning the silence of critics regarding the earlier slap incident.
