Usman Nurmagomedov Involved in Altercation at Abu Dhabi Hotel Lobby

Ali Abdelaziz has spoken out against Usman Nurmagomedov's actions in Abu Dhabi, calling them "unacceptable". The incident occurred at a hotel lobby ahead of a Real American Freestyle event where Merab Dvalishvili was also present.

Dvalishvili is a former UFC bantamweight champion and had been scheduled to compete on the card alongside Nurmagomedov's brother Umar, who was set to face Urijah Faber. This proximity to his brother may have contributed to Nurmagomedov's aggressive behavior.

Nurmagomedov was among those arrested by Abu Dhabi police following the altercation with Dvalishvili. The incident marked a turning point in a long-standing feud between Umar and Dvalishvili, which began before their UFC title fight in January 2025.

Abdelaziz has expressed his disappointment and disapproval of Nurmagomedov's actions, stating that it is a situation that should bring shame to all involved.

The incident in Abu Dhabi has sparked a heated debate about accountability and responsibility among athletes and sports organizations.

Many have questioned whether Usman Nurmagomedov's actions were justified or if they went too far, but one thing is clear: the consequences of his behavior will be felt for a long time to come.

Abdelaziz has emphasized that past grievances or perceived slights do not excuse violent outbursts, and that athletes must conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively on their sport and community.

The incident serves as a stark reminder that sports figures are role models, and their actions have far-reaching implications.

The incident at Abu Dhabi has left many wondering what could have been done differently to prevent it from escalating into a brawl.

Abdelaziz believes that both parties were in the wrong and that their actions had far-reaching consequences, serving as a stark reminder of the importance of sports figures being role models. He emphasizes that two wrongs do not make a right and that everyone involved should have handled the situation better. The incident has also made him reflect on his own behavior and how he conducts himself in similar situations.

Abdelaziz is hopeful that Usman will take this as an opportunity to learn from his mistake and conduct himself better in the future. He understands that athletes can be emotional, but he believes there's no excuse for their actions, especially when it comes to representing themselves and their organization. The incident has sparked speculation about how it may affect Usman's character, particularly given his status as one of the top free agents in MMA.

Abdelaziz emphasizes that Usman will likely face consequences for his actions, not just from a professional standpoint but also personally. He believes that this experience should serve as a lesson to everyone involved and hopes that they will all take steps to improve their behavior and conduct themselves better in the future.

The recent altercation in Abu Dhabi has sparked widespread criticism of Usman Nurmagomedov's behavior, and it's not his first run-in with controversy.

Abdelaziz emphasized that addressing Usman's actions is more important than navigating his path forward as a fighter, which he considers secondary at this point. He believes that the incident serves as a stark reminder for everyone involved to reassess their conduct and make amends in the future.

Usman has been previously criticized for jumping into the octagon after Islam Makhachev's title win and his brother Umar's loss to Song Yadong, as well as a 2021 arrest where a police officer alleged he was hit by a car.

Abdelaziz acknowledged Usman's exceptional skills in the ring, calling him one of the best fighters globally. However, he is more concerned about Usman's behavior outside of competition and its impact on those around him.