Dvalishvili competes at RAF Abu Dhabi days after Nurmagomedov attack left him bloodied and detained

Merab Dvalishvili will step onto the mat at RAF Abu Dhabi on Saturday, just days after Usman Nurmagomedov and several members of his team attacked the former UFC bantamweight champion, leaving him bloodied and held in detention for approximately 48 hours. Despite the ordeal, Dvalishvili chose to honour his bout against Marlon Moraes at Etihad Arena.

The chaotic match week also produced a notable addition to the card. Saba Lazishvili, a 21-year-old wrestler who was filmed fighting alongside Dvalishvili while vastly outnumbered — and who managed to drop several members of Nurmagomedov’s group in the process — has been inserted into the lineup. Lazishvili replaces Umar Nurmagomedov and will face Urijah Faber in what will be his professional wrestling debut.

RAF Abu Dhabi is headlined by a light heavyweight crossover championship bout between Khamzat Chimaev and Chris Weidman, with Arman Tsarukyan taking on Neiman Gracie in the co-main event.

The full updated card for the event at Etihad Arena is as follows:

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Chris Weidman

Arman Tsarukyan vs. Neiman Gracie

Zabit Magomedsharipov vs. Giga Chikadze

Abdulrashid Sadulaev vs. Dauren Kurugliev

Kyle Dake vs. Alp Arslan Begenjov

Merab Dvalishvili vs. Marlon Moraes

Urijah Faber vs. Saba Lazishvili

Jordan Burroughs vs. Azamat Nurykau

Kyle Snyder vs. Shamil Erdogan

Murtaza Talha vs. Osama Elsaidy

Julianna Peña vs. Diana Avsaragova

Zahid Valencia vs. Khidir Saipudinov

Kennedy Blades vs. Bella Mir