An Abu Dhabi court has convicted 10 people following a hotel fight involving MMA stars Usman Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili. Eight received prison sentences, fines and deportation orders
ABU DHABI: The Abu Dhabi Criminal Court has sentenced eight people to six months in prison following a violent hotel brawl involving the camps of MMA fighters Usman Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili. The court convicted 10 defendants in total and imposed fines reaching Dh300,000 per person.
The incident took place on Wednesday, November 11, at a hotel on Yas Island. The confrontation occurred ahead of the Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling event in Abu Dhabi.
Eight Receive Jail Terms and Deportation Orders
According to the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, six defendants received six-month prison sentences and fines of Dh300,000 each. The court also ordered their deportation after they complete their sentences. Authorities convicted them of disturbing public security, causing panic and endangering lives. Two other defendants received fines of Dh50,000 each for disturbing public security and assaulting others.
The remaining two defendants received six-month prison sentences, Dh300,000 fines each and deportation orders. The court found them guilty of violating privacy laws by filming the altercation and sharing the footage online. It also ordered authorities to confiscate their phones and delete the recordings.
What Happened During the Abu Dhabi Hotel Fight?
The confrontation reportedly began while Dvalishvili was giving an interview at the hotel. Footage circulating online appeared to show Nurmagomedov approaching the Georgian fighter before a physical altercation broke out.
Abu Dhabi Police arrested eight people over the fight and two others for filming it. Prosecutors subsequently referred all 10 defendants to court.Media reports have linked Nurmagomedov to those jailed. However, the judicial authorities have not publicly identified the convicted individuals.
Impact to Expect
The ruling highlights the UAE’s strict approach to public disorder, assault and privacy violations. It also reinforces the legal risks of filming and distributing footage of altercations without permission. The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public safety and enforcing the law against actions that threaten public security.
