Umar Nurmagomedov breaks silence on Merab Dvalishvili striking his friend in Georgia
UFC fighter Umar Nurmagomedov has publicly criticized Merab Dvalishvili following an altercation between Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov's friend, Ahmed Gadzhimagomedov. The incident occurred in Georgia and has further intensified the ongoing rivalry between the two fighters.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the volatile nature of professional fighter rivalries and the potential for off-stage conflicts to impact the sport's public image.
Umar Nurmagomedov has spoken about the recent incident involving his friend Ahmed Gadzhimagomedov and ex-UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili in Georgia. Nurmagomedov questioned how Dvalishvili could justify slapping his friend after Gadzhimagomedov asked him a question about a potential fight with the Russian fighter.The incident happened at a Real American Freestyle event in Georgia in July 2026. Gadzhimagomedov approached Dvalishvili after asking about a possible rematch with Nurmagomedov. The situation then escalated. Dvalishvili appeared to slap Gadzhimagomedov before security stepped in. The incident has added another chapter to the tense relationship between Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov.Umar Nurmagomedov questions Merab Dvalishvili after his infamous Georgia altercationUmar Nurmagomedov has defended Ahmed Gadzhimagomedov and insisted that his friend did not approach Merab Dvalishvili with the intention of insulting him. According to Nurmagomedov, the interaction began with a simple question about his potential matchup with the ex-UFC champion.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in