Tsarukyan accuses Dvalishvili of sucker-punching Umar Nurmagomedov's friend at RAF Georgia

Arman Tsarukyan has accused Merab Dvalishvili of sucker-punching a friend of UFC bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov during a backstage altercation at RAF Georgia on July 11, calling the act wrong and insisting the dispute could have been resolved through conversation.

The incident unfolded in the aftermath of a pre-fight press conference at the wrestling event, where Dvalishvili was asked about a potential wrestling match against Nurmagomedov. The Georgian fighter dismissed the idea, describing the Dagestani star as “spoiled.” Nurmagomedov’s friend, who was part of the contingent accompanying wrestler Abdulrashid Sadulaev — who lost to Kyle Snyder at the same event — then approached Dvalishvili to challenge those remarks.

According to Tsarukyan, the confrontation escalated when Dvalishvili threw the first punch while the man was still speaking. “The scuffle began after Merab sucker-punched the guy, who was actually trying to say, ‘Don’t talk bad about our brother while we are here.’ And Merab punched him while he was talking,” Tsarukyan told Red Corner MMA. “From my point of view, it was wrong. They just needed to talk and settle things down.”

Tsarukyan added that the two parties were subsequently locked in a room together, fought one-on-one, and ultimately shook hands to resolve the matter. Dvalishvili had earlier scored a wrestling victory over Henry Cejudo at the same RAF Georgia event before the backstage confrontation took place.

Nurmagomedov also weighed in publicly, posting a pointed statement on X that questioned whether Dvalishvili would have acted the same way without a crowd present to intervene. “On the Caucasus, a man is defined by honor, dignity, and hospitality,” Nurmagomedov wrote. “My friend only asked why you were talking behind someone’s back. I don’t need to insult you to feel like a man. Who you really are is shown when there’s no crowd and no one to step in.”

The episode adds a fresh layer of tension between Dvalishvili and the Dagestani MMA community. Nurmagomedov, who holds a 20-1 professional record, is widely regarded as one of the UFC’s top bantamweight prospects, while Dvalishvili, now 21-5, is a former champion in the division.