The key facts
- The Abu Dhabi court found 10 people guilty: six were sentenced to six months in prison, a 300,000 dirham fine, and deportation
- According to Georgia's 1TV, the two fined 50,000 dirhams are Dvalishvili and Lazishvili; RAF intends to pay their fine
- The total fines amount to 2.5 million dirhams; RAF held its tournament on November 14 without Usman Nurmagomedov
Verdict in the Yas Hilton brawl case
The Abu Dhabi Criminal Court has found ten people guilty in the case of the brawl at the Yas Hilton hotel on Yas Island, where on November 11 Usman Nurmagomedov, along with his entourage, attacked Merab Dvalishvili during an interview. This was reported by The National, citing a statement from the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department; the Uzbek outlet Kun.uz, citing TASS, clarified that among those sentenced to six months is Nurmagomedov himself.
Who got what
Six defendants were sentenced to six months in prison, a fine of 300,000 dirhams (about $82,000) each, and deportation after serving their term — for violating public safety, causing panic, and endangering lives. Two others got off with a fine of 50,000 dirhams (about $13,600) for violating public safety and causing bodily harm: according to the Georgian TV channel 1TV, these are Dvalishvili and wrestler Saba Lazishvili, who defended him in the brawl, and RAF intends to pay their fine. Two more — those who filmed the fight on their phones and published the videos — received six months and 300,000 dirhams each for violating privacy using information technology; their phones will be confiscated and the recordings deleted. The total amount of fines for the ten defendants came to 2.5 million dirhams (about $680,000). The surnames of those convicted have not been officially disclosed, Kun.uz notes.
What happened and what's next
The conflict occurred on the eve of the first Middle East tournament of the organization Real American Freestyle (RAF): Dvalishvili, who was scheduled to face Marlon Moraes on November 14, was giving an interview in the hotel lobby when Nurmagomedov, with a group of companions, approached from behind and struck him. According to Dvalishvili himself, security held him back while he was beaten while on the ground; he required medical attention. Police detained eight participants in the brawl and two people filming on November 12. Nurmagomedov himself did not compete at the tournament — he had come to support his brother Umar, who fought Urijah Faber. Lazishvili's brother Zviad said both Georgians were expected to be released by 5:00 p.m. on November 13, and RAF head Chad Bronstein confirmed Dvalishvili's return to the organization's headquarters. The verdict coincided with negotiations over 28-year-old Usman's move to the UFC after the end of his exclusive contract with PFL: UFC president Dana White had previously expressed interest, but after the incident publicly condemned it; no sanctions against Nurmagomedov have been reported so far.
