Usman Nurmagomedov will not be allowed to attend RAF Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
On Wednesday, video surfaced of Nurmagomedov and members of his team walking up on Merab Dvalishvili while doing an interview, before the PFL lightweight champ struck the former UFC bantamweight champ with a surprising shot. Then chaos ensued with an all-out brawl.
Thus far, RAF had been silent on the matter, but during Thursday’s press conference, RAF co-founder Chad Bronstein gave a statement and answered a couple of questions from media members about the incident. Bronstein said that the promotion doesn’t condone the extracurricular activities, and it was an unfortunate situation. Bronstein added that Nurmagomedov would not be allowed to attend the event.
“We’re hoping that the situation gets resolved, sooner than later,” Bronstein said at the press conference. “And obviously, Usman will not be attending our event on Saturday night.”
Additionally, the status of Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov — who was also involved in the brawl — is unknown for Saturday’s card. Dvalishvili is slated to face Marlon Moraes, while Nurmagomedov is scheduled to take on Urijah Faber at the promotion’s first event in Abu Dhabi. Neither of the two UFC bantamweights appeared at the press conference.
A decision is expected to be made over the next day or two while the promotion works out the details of the situation.
Abu Dhabi police also released a statement on Thursday in regards to the incident, saying eight people were arrested after the melee.
“The General Command of Abu Dhabi Police was able to arrest 8 persons involved in a fight that took place at the entrance of a hotel, on the background of previous differences between them, they also managed to arrest two persons who filmed the incident, take the necessary legal actions on their right, and refer them to the General Prosecutor to complete the proceedings in accordance with the laws enacted by it,” the statement reads.
“The details of the incident go back to a fight at the entrance of a hotel, following previous differences between a number of people, and immediately, the Abu Dhabi Police specialized teams initiated their actions to deal with the incident, and they were able to arrest those involved, as well as arresting the two persons who filmed the fight, and taking the necessary legal actions for their rights.
“Abu Dhabi police stressed its keenness to maintain public security and order, and deal firmly with behaviors that would violate security or endanger the safety of others, stressing the importance of adhering to laws and regulations and civilized and responsible behavior.”