RAF seeks Dvalishvili's release after Abu Dhabi arrest; Usman Nurmagomedov will not attend

Ten arrests after the hotel attack

Nurmagomedov and several others ambushed Dvalishvili during an interview at an Abu Dhabi hotel on Wednesday. Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov were among 10 people arrested afterward, The National reported.

Abu Dhabi Police said the arrests covered eight people involved in the incident and two who recorded it. All 10 were referred to the Public Prosecutor.

Responding to The National's questions about Dvalishvili's condition and the incident, Bronstein said: "We're working through the situation right now. Merab is doing well. We're working through the situation now with the UAE authorities. So we're hoping that the situation gets resolved sooner or later."

Bronstein did not detail any disciplinary measures when asked about punishment for those involved. He said: "Obviously Usman will not be attending our event on Saturday night."

Two scheduled matches face uncertainty

Dvalishvili is booked against Marlon Moraes in a Catchweight Crossover bout. A separate Lightweight Crossover match pairs Usman's older brother, Umar Nurmagomedov, with former UFC star Urijah Faber. Usman was not due to compete.

Umar also missed Thursday's press conference. Although Dvalishvili named both brothers in a video about the attack on him and Saba Lazishvili, The National could not confirm whether Umar took part in the altercation or was among those arrested.

Faber treated the uncertainty with humor, joking that the "Dagestani crew" had devised a way to avoid wrestling him. His imagined plot involved Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov and the two brothers, with Usman volunteering to get everyone arrested.

Without a replacement, Faber faces the prospect of having no opponent. Moraes is a possible alternative if Dvalishvili cannot compete, though that matchup has not been confirmed.

"We'll see what happens. I'm gonna wrestle somebody. So maybe this guy can help Umar and Usman get out of jail," Faber said, pointing toward Bronstein.

Earlier clashes between the camps

The rivalry extends beyond this week's incident. Dvalishvili defeated Umar at UFC 311 in January 2025. That July was not the next confrontation: in July 2026, Dvalishvili slapped Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov, a fighter associated with the Nurmagomedov camp, backstage at a wrestling event in Georgia, according to La Nouvelle Tribune.

UFC champion Islam Makhachev, a close friend and training partner of the Nurmagomedovs, publicly backed Usman after the Abu Dhabi brawl. BBC Sport reported that Makhachev blamed Dvalishvili for starting the conflict by striking a Dagestani wrestler months earlier.

Usman, 28, holds the PFL lightweight title. According to BBC Sport, he became a free agent after his most recent PFL fight and has been heavily linked with a move to the UFC.

Chimaev and Weidman prepare for the main event

Thursday's press conference also featured Khamzat Chimaev and Arman Tsarukyan. Chimaev will wrestle Chris Weidman in the main event, with Tsarukyan facing Neiman Gracie in the co-main event. Chimaev is favored to win the vacant RAF light heavyweight title on Saturday.

Weidman accepted the match after Colby Covington withdrew through injury. The 42-year-old former UFC middleweight champion retired from professional MMA in 2025. His only previous RAF appearance ended in a 5-4 loss to Covington in May 2026, according to Yahoo Sports (Uncrowned). In 2013, he ended Anderson Silva's UFC middleweight championship reign.

A two-time NCAA Division I All-American, Weidman said he has stayed in shape and is "ready to go" despite the late offer.

"I feel good. It's not ideal getting only six days' notice, but I've been wrestling since I was a kid, and it's just like riding a bike for me," he said. He described the match as an opportunity to face someone widely viewed as unbeatable, adding: "I like to shock the world."

Chimaev, 32, brings a 27-0 wrestling record and three RAF wins, against Dillon Danis, Tyron Woodley and Robbie Lawler. His debut against Danis produced an RAF record: a pin 44 seconds into the first period.

Like Weidman, Chimaev is a former UFC middleweight champion. He took the belt from Dricus du Plessis with a dominant performance at UFC 319, then lost a split decision to Sean Strickland at UFC 328 in May 2026. He says he plans to return to the UFC at middleweight and regain the title.

Asked how Weidman might beat him, Chimaev replied: "He's not in the UFC anymore, so maybe he can take some vitamins, maybe some secret juice." He added: "I hope he can show up and we do some fun wrestling."

Venue, remaining bouts and broadcast

Real American Freestyle will stage its first Middle East event at Etihad Arena on Yas Island on November 14, 2026. The Abu Dhabi show begins a five-year partnership involving RAF, the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi and the UAE Wrestling Federation.

The card also includes Julianna Peña's RAF debut against Diana Avsaragova and a cruiserweight title defense by Kyle Dake against Alp Arslan Begenjov. Kyle Snyder and Shamil Erdogan are scheduled to contest the RAF light heavyweight championship, while middleweight champion Kennedy Blades defends against Bella Mir, the daughter of UFC legend Frank Mir.

US viewers can watch live on FOX Nation beginning at 11 a.m. ET Saturday. STARZPLAY will carry the event in the Middle East and North Africa, with RAF's YouTube channel providing coverage elsewhere.