UFC bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili was involved in a physical altercation with a spectator during a press event for the Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling promotion in Tbilisi, Georgia, on July 11. The incident occurred one day before the former UFC champion was scheduled to compete in a wrestling match against Henry Cejudo at the same event.
Video footage circulating on social media shows Dvalishvili engaged in a verbal exchange with an individual in the crowd, which escalated into a physical confrontation after the spectator allegedly made contact with the fighter. Security personnel intervened to separate the parties, though the situation triggered a wider brawl involving multiple individuals present at the venue.
Context of the Altercation in Tbilisi
The tension reportedly began during a media availability session when Dvalishvili was asked about the possibility of a future wrestling match against his UFC rival, Umar Nurmagomedov. According to reports from the scene, Dvalishvili responded dismissively to the question, prompting an individual identified as a supporter of Nurmagomedov to approach the stage. The exchange turned hostile when the fan confronted Dvalishvili regarding his comments.
The presence of high-profile wrestlers at the event, including Abdulrashid Sadulaev and Razambek Zhamalov, contributed to the chaotic atmosphere. Both athletes have professional ties to the camp associated with Nurmagomedov, and their presence, alongside other wrestlers from the Dagestan region, led to a larger group of people becoming involved in the scuffle. While Dvalishvili was seen being pulled away by security, it remains unconfirmed whether Umar Nurmagomedov was in attendance at the press conference.
History of Rivalry Between Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov
The friction between Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov is well-documented within the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The two fighters met at UFC 311 on January 18, 2025, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. Dvalishvili secured a unanimous decision victory in that bout, successfully defending his bantamweight title. The lead-up to that fight was marked by personal animosity, including a heated confrontation between the two camps that required security intervention during a pre-fight press conference.
During the promotional cycle for UFC 311, Dvalishvili publicly criticized his opponent, characterizing him as disrespectful and referring to him using disparaging labels in media interviews. The events in Tbilisi suggest that the competitive animosity between the two fighters has persisted following their January championship bout.
Previous Incidents Involving Spectators and Wrestlers
This incident is not the first time Dvalishvili has engaged with a spectator during a public event. In August 2024, while attending the Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) in a VIP section, Dvalishvili climbed into the spectator stands to confront an individual who was heckling him with comments regarding his former opponent, Sean O’Malley. Security quickly separated Dvalishvili from the fan, and the situation was de-escalated without further incident.
The Real American Freestyle promotion has also seen previous disruptions involving UFC-affiliated fighters. Earlier in the promotion’s timeline, fighter Arman Tsarukyan was involved in a physical altercation during a wrestling match against Giorgio Poullas at an RAF event. During that match, Tsarukyan initiated a physical exchange that deviated from standard wrestling rules, leading to a brawl that drew in both corners and required security to restore order. Despite the severity of the incident, RAF leadership, including Chief Chad Bronstein, confirmed that Tsarukyan was not banned from the promotion, and the two later held a rematch at RAF 7.