Islam Makhachev has come to the defense of his teammate Usman Nurmagomedov following a violent altercation involving Merab Dvalishvili at a fighter hotel in Abu Dhabi. Makhachev claims that Dvalishvili instigated the feud, which escalated when Nurmagomedov attacked Dvalishvili, who was outnumbered with only one friend by his side. The incident left Dvalishvili with cuts and bruises just days before his match against Marlon Moraes at Real American Freestyle. Makhachev pointed out that Dvalishvili had previously assaulted a Dagestani fighter, Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov, leading to the current tensions. He expressed his frustration on Instagram, questioning why there was no outrage when Dvalishvili attacked Gadzhimagomedov, suggesting that his actions in Abu Dhabi were a form of retribution for past grievances.

The altercation has sparked significant backlash, particularly from Nina Marie Daniele, a close friend of Dvalishvili, who is calling for the UFC to impose a ban on Usman Nurmagomedov. Daniele described the incident as a premeditated attack, noting that one of Nurmagomedov's teammates was filming moments before the slap was delivered. She drew parallels to the UFC's previous decision to ban Dillon Danis after a separate incident, arguing that fairness dictates a similar response towards Nurmagomedov. Daniele's emotional response highlighted her concern for Dvalishvili, whom she referred to as a brother, and her outrage at the perceived cowardice of the attack.S2S3

Usman Nurmagomedov, who remains a sought-after free agent after his contract with the Professional Fighters League expired in July, has found himself at the center of controversy. His actions have raised questions about the conduct expected of fighters within the UFC, especially given the organization's history of addressing similar incidents. As the situation unfolds, the UFC's response to Daniele's call for a ban will be closely monitored by fans and fighters alike, particularly in light of the ongoing discussions surrounding fighter behavior and accountability in mixed martial arts.S3