Sadulaev explained the fight between Nurmagomedov and Dvalishvili as provocation against Umar

Sadulaev's version

Two-time Olympic wrestling champion Abdulrashid Sadulaev, at a press conference for a RAF league tournament, explained, in his view, the cause of the fight between Russian fighter Usman Nurmagomedov and former UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili. According to him, he had anticipated in advance that a conflict was inevitable: when Dvalishvili made inappropriate remarks about Umar Nurmagomedov, Sadulaev and a friend politely approached him and asked why he was provoking, and at that moment Dvalishvili struck Umar. Sadulaev also said the incident was settled on the spot at the time, but Umar and Usman Nurmagomedov have not seen Dvalishvili since.

Consequences for Nurmagomedov

On November 13, Usman Nurmagomedov was arrested in the UAE for six months. According to the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, seven other participants in the fight were arrested along with him; the court also imposed substantial fines on them for violating public order and endangering lives.

How it all began

The incident itself took place during the RAF league media day in Abu Dhabi: Dvalishvili was giving an interview when Nurmagomedov, accompanied by his entourage, approached him from behind and struck him. Later, a video of the incident appeared on social media. UFC champion Islam Makhachev explained Nurmagomedov's actions by saying that Dvalishvili had earlier insulted the Russian fighter's mother. Thus, two different explanations of the conflict coexist in the public sphere: Sadulaev links the fight to provocation against Umar Nurmagomedov, while Makhachev links it to an insult against Usman's mother. The outlet also reported that it became known what awaits Nurmagomedov after the arrest.