Makhachev defends Usman Nurmagomedov after slap attack on Dvalishvili in Abu Dhabi

Islam Makhachev released an Instagram statement defending Usman Nurmagomedov after video footage emerged on Wednesday showing Nurmagomedov approaching and slapping Merab Dvalishvili during an interview at the RAF event in Abu Dhabi.

The footage shows Nurmagomedov walking up to Dvalishvili mid-interview before striking him almost immediately, triggering a chaotic brawl involving both fighters and their respective entourages. The incident has drawn widespread criticism, but Makhachev — one of Nurmagomedov’s primary training partners — was quick to offer a counter-narrative.

“To those who are now condemning Usman and the guys, [and] they are writing insults to them, why were you silent when Merab hit a Dagestani wrestler for nothing and hurt his honor?” Makhachev wrote. “The man approached him to talk without malice. Merab started what happened today in his homeland by allowing himself to hit a guest and insulting his mother.”

The animosity between the Nurmagomedov family and Dvalishvili has been a recurring storyline in MMA circles, though Wednesday’s altercation marked a significant and public escalation. As of publication, Usman Nurmagomedov has not issued any statement on the incident.

Nurmagomedov was in Abu Dhabi to support his brother Umar Nurmagomedov, who was also caught up in the melee. Umar is scheduled to compete in a wrestling match against Urijah Faber at the RAF event. RAF officials have not addressed the brawl or clarified whether Dvalishvili remains on the card, where he is scheduled to face Marlon Moraes on Saturday.