Arman Tsarukyan on the Nurmagomedov–Dvalishvili brawl in Abu Dhabi: “It was inevitable”
- Published
- Place
- Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Event date
- Past event —
Summary
Armenian fighter Arman Tsarukyan, one of the top contenders for the UFC lightweight title, says Usman Nurmagomedov’s attack on Merab Dvalishvili in an Abu Dhabi hotel was “inevitable”. On Wednesday, 11 November, the Russian PFL champion approached the Georgian UFC bantamweight champion from behind and slapped him in the lobby. A wider brawl followed. For Tsarukyan, it was payback for a July incident in Tbilisi, where Dvalishvili had slapped a friend of the Nurmagomedov camp. “It had to happen,” he said in an interview with journalist Adam Zubairaev. He is now urging both sides to make peace. And he believes the UFC, far from being put off, “loves guys like this”.
What happened in the hotel lobby
Both men were in Abu Dhabi for a freestyle wrestling event of the Real American Freestyle (RAF) league, scheduled for Saturday. Videos circulating online show Usman Nurmagomedov approaching Dvalishvili from behind and slapping him. The scene turned into a melee between the two camps.
Dvalishvili later posted a video with his face bloodied: “What a sneaky way, guys.” Ilia Topuria, a former UFC champion and a friend of Dvalishvili, called them “a bunch of cowards”. According to MMA media, Abu Dhabi police intervened and several people were taken to a police station.
A story that began in Tbilisi
It all goes back to July. At an RAF press conference in Georgia, Dvalishvili refused to wrestle Umar Nurmagomedov, Usman’s brother. Russian wrestler Ahmed Gadzhimagomedov, a friend of Umar’s, came to confront him. Dvalishvili slapped him. Tsarukyan was there that day.
“It had to happen. It was inevitable,” he said. “I was surprised that Merab was here last time and nothing happened. There had to be a response, and it came.” In his view, Usman was not looking for a fight: “He just wanted to give him the same slap back.” He also praised the fighting spirit of Dvalishvili and especially of his friend, Saba Lazishvili: “A real beast. And I heard he’s not even a fighter.”
“They’re even”: a call for calm
Tsarukyan wants no sequel. “Merab did it at his home, Usman did it here, they’re even,” he said. He called on Khabib Nurmagomedov and the elders to reach out and settle the conflict “as safely as possible”, so that everyone shakes hands.
On the sporting side, he is adamant: the incident will not stop the unbeaten Usman from joining the UFC. “The UFC loves guys like this.” He dreams of an Usman–Topuria fight, while expecting Topuria to pick a less risky opponent first.
Analysis
Tsarukyan speaks as a witness: he was in Tbilisi in July, when it all began. His reading, “a slap for a slap”, will shock those who see only an attack from behind. But he owns it, and pairs it with a clear call for reconciliation. For the Armenian fighter, it is also a way to stay in the headlines. He has himself been involved in several brawls outside the Octagon, which has, if anything, boosted his popularity with fans.
Possible consequences
Both camps remain in Abu Dhabi for Saturday’s RAF event. Usman Nurmagomedov’s move to the UFC, discussed by his team, has not yet been negotiated.
