UFC CEO Dana White has weighed in on a hotel lobby brawl in Abu Dhabi involving unbeaten Russian lightweight Usman Nurmagomedov and former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili. The altercation occurred on Wednesday at the Yas Hilton hotel ahead of a Real American Freestyle event, when Nurmagomedov and several members of his entourage approached Dvalishvili from behind while he was conducting an interview, and Nurmagomedov struck him across the face, sparking an all-out brawl involving both groups.

Dvalishvili later posted images of bruises and cuts he and a friend suffered, and video footage showed him left with a bloody cut on his face. Abu Dhabi Police announced that eight people involved had been arrested, with two more detained for filming the brawl, and all 10 were referred to the Public Prosecution for further legal proceedings. Authorities did not publicly identify everyone taken into custody.S1S2

Speaking at the UFC 334 pre-fight press conference in New York, White called the incident "absolutely ridiculous and stupid" and said that "they're all in jail. That is not a place to go f—k around." He also told Adam Glyn that such incidents are never good for business, making everyone involved look bad, though he noted that crazy things happen in the fight business.S1S2

Dvalishvili was scheduled to face former UFC title challenger Marlon Moraes on Saturday in Abu Dhabi under the Real American Freestyle banner. RAF officials confirmed that Nurmagomedov will not be allowed to attend the event, and the promotion is working with local authorities while remaining hopeful Dvalishvili will be released in time to compete.S1S2

The brawl also raised questions about Nurmagomedov's future, as he had recently been linked to a potential move to the UFC. White dismissed that speculation, stating that Nurmagomedov remains under contract with the Professional Fighters League and that the UFC has not been in contact with him.S2