Eight jailed over Abu Dhabi brawl involving Nurmagomedov and Dvalishvili as White reacts

An Abu Dhabi court handed six-month prison sentences to eight people connected to a hotel brawl involving UFC fighters Usman Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili, with UFC president Dana White commenting on the verdicts at the UFC 334 post-fight press conference.

Six of those sentenced received prison terms for their direct involvement in the fight. Two others were jailed for filming the incident and publishing the footage online. Two additional defendants were reportedly fined but avoided prison time.

“I just know they got like six months in jail,” White said. When asked whether the recurring altercations at Real American Freestyle events might prompt the UFC to restrict its active fighters from competing for the promotion, White stopped short of announcing any policy change. “Yeah, it’s crazy. It’s crazy,” he added. “I mean they must like it for this to happen all the time.”

The brawl had immediate consequences for the RAF Abu Dhabi card. Umar Nurmagomedov, who had been booked to face Urijah Faber, was removed from the event following the incident. RAF also barred Usman Nurmagomedov from attending altogether.

Despite being among those caught up in the altercation, Dvalishvili did compete at RAF Abu Dhabi, defeating Marlon Moraes by fall in the days that followed.