Usman Nurmagomedov Faces Prison Sentence After Attack on UFC Star Merab Dvalishvili

Abu Dhabi court issues sentences

The incident drew wider attention after Dvalishvili posted a video showing himself and a friend receiving medical care in Abu Dhabi. He said he had been attacked by Usman Nurmagomedov and others before footage of the confrontation spread online.

The National News reported that six Team Nurmagomedov members received six-month prison terms. Each was also fined 300,000 UAE Dirhams, about $81,688, and will be deported after completing the sentence.

Others also face penalties

Two people who recorded and published the fight were sentenced to six months in prison and fined the same amount. The court cited privacy violations involving the use of information technology to film and publish the footage.

Dvalishvili and Saba Lazishvili were each fined 50,000 UAE Dirhams for disturbing public security and assaulting others. Both were released from custody.

Career questions remain

Usman, who was in Abu Dhabi to support his brother Umar, was not scheduled to compete at the RAF event. Umar is set to face Urijah Faber on the card.

Usman has a 22-0 professional record and completed his PFL contract in July after defending the lightweight title with a first-round win over Alfie Davis. The PFL has a period to try to re-sign him before he can speak with other organizations, and the report said fans had expected UFC interest.

The court case concluded quickly, but questions remain about the possible effect of the incident on Usman’s career. His cousin Khabib is in the UFC Hall of Fame, while his brother Umar is a top bantamweight contender who lost a title fight to Dvalishvili at UFC 311.