Ten arrested after brawl involving MMA champions in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi authorities said Thursday that they had arrested 10 individuals in connection with a hotel brawl, according to statements from police and video footage that circulated on social media. The altercation was reportedly connected to Usman Nurmagomedov, who holds the Professional Fighters League lightweight title, and Merab Dvalishvili, the former Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight champion.

Details surrounding the cause and full circumstances of the confrontation remained unclear as of Thursday. Neither fighter has publicly commented on the incident, and authorities have not released additional information regarding the identities of those arrested or specific charges they may face.

The incident represents another high-profile altercation involving professional combat athletes in the Middle East, where the sport maintains a significant presence through major promotions and sponsorships. Abu Dhabi has hosted numerous major mixed martial arts events in recent years and maintains robust security protocols at major hotels and venues.