MMA World Condemns Dagestani Fighters After Attack on Merab Dvalishvili

The MMA world is in an uproar following a physical altercation involving former UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili. Dvalishvili was reportedly attacked by a group of Dagestani individuals prior to a wrestling event in Abu Dhabi. This incident has sparked widespread criticism of the behavior of fighters like Ousman Nurmagomedov and his associates.

Israeli MMA fighter Stav Koren, a close friend and training partner of Dvalishvili, strongly condemned the Dagestani fighters' actions. "It's always like this with them. They always give the feeling that it's more than a sport, that something is happening beyond that," Koren stated. He added, "Regardless of whether you are Jewish or Israeli, they always attack. They couldn't digest that Georgians beat Dagestanis [after Dvalishvili defeated Omar Nurmagomedov]. Everyone hates them, everyone there is on steroids."

Koren described how a friend of Dvalishvili's, who is a young wrestler, intervened and potentially prevented a more severe assault. "The guy who was with Merab is my friend. His brother is a UFC fighter. He is an amazing guy and I think if it weren't for him, Merab would have been lynched there. I wish they would all go to jail. I hope they boycott them already. Ten people, fighters, jumping on two people... they didn't even know he was with that guy, they wanted to jump him alone, it was supposed to be a lynching."

Prominent figures in the MMA community have voiced their support for Dvalishvili and their disapproval of the Dagestani fighters' conduct. Respected MMA journalist Ariel Helwani called the incident "criminal behavior in every sense." He emphasized, "If I went with a group of people on the street and attacked someone, I would be facing arrest. Everything was filmed, it's not a matter of word against word," Helwani concluded, "They went as a group after one person, turned him around, slapped him in the face and then continued to beat him and his friend. Shameful."

UFC fighter Kevin Holland and former UFC fighter Darren Till also criticized the group's behavior. Holland stated, "If any MMA fighter put their hands on me outside the octagon. You better not ever do that in your lives. I will break you. What you did to Merab. He is a better person than me probably." Till remarked, "What happened there... I love Khabib and Islam, I love how they fight. But them going to Merab and slapping him like that. Every time I see Dagestanis they go in groups. Merab looked shocked. Why are you slapping him? Because he beat Omar? You are always in groups, I don't like it. I walk alone on the street. None of them even know how to throw a punch."

According to reports, all individuals involved in the brawl, including Dvalishvili and his friend, were taken to the police station for questioning. Dvalishvili did not file a complaint, but everyone was taken to the station. The legal ramifications and potential impact on Ousman Nurmagomedov's rumored UFC contract remain unclear.