UFC bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili is set to compete at RAF Abu Dhabi at Etihad Arena after an earlier hotel lobby melee.
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Merab Dvalishvili is back in Abu Dhabi for RAF (Real American Freestyle) despite being involved in a hotel lobby ambush earlier this week, the promotion’s leadership said, as his friend Sabaa Lazishvili was also added to the event card.
RAF CEO and co-founder Chad Bronstein said in a statement that “Merab Dvalishvili is back with us in Abu Dhabi” and thanked the relevant authorities for their “professionalism and support,” adding the promotion is “focused on moving forward.” The event later confirmed via Instagram that Dvalishvili was “confirmed” for tonight’s bout.
The melee referenced in the reporting involved Dvalishvili and Lazishvili, along with multiple attackers described as brothers Usman and Umar, with the account saying security was holding Dvalishvili as people were “kicking and punching us.” Dvalishvili later described the confrontation through social media comments and said Lazishvili fought the brothers and additional attackers during the incident.
In the aftermath, Lazishvili was reportedly added to the RAF Abu Dhabi card at Etihad Arena in the United Arab Emirates, with the report saying he will replace Umar Nurmagomedov. The same account said Lazishvili was expected to face UFC veteran Urijah Faber.
The reporting also said Umar Nurmagomedov was facing “six months in prison” and an $82,000 fine, along with an order for deportation after the prison term, in connection with the earlier attack. It further said Dvalishvili has said he does not want to press charges.
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