Overview
- A hallway confrontation involving Merab Dvalishvili and supporters of Umar Nurmagomedov broke out during RAF press activity on Friday, July 10, when a Nurmagomedov training partner approached Dvalishvili and the two exchanged words.
- Multiple video angles that circulated online show Dvalishvili grabbing Ahmed Gadzhimagomedov’s shirt and striking him, images that prompted a public response from Umar Nurmagomedov invoking regional notions of honor.
- Event and venue security intervened quickly to separate the groups and RAF proceeded with its first international card in Tbilisi as scheduled.
- On Saturday, July 11, Dvalishvili staged an 11-8 comeback over Olympic champion Henry Cejudo in the RAF Georgia main event, then used his victory to call out UFC champion Petr Yan.
- The scuffle and the viral footage have reputational consequences for Dvalishvili, may intensify calls for a rematch with Nurmagomedov, and could complicate the timing or optics of a planned UFC title rematch with Petr Yan.