Georgian fighters Merab Dvalishvili and Saba Lazishvili claimed victories at the Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling tournament in Abu Dhabi on November 14, 2026, despite a recent high-profile altercation.
Former UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili successfully contested his bout, overcoming his opponent. Meanwhile, Saba Lazishvili secured a victory over 46-year-old mixed martial arts veteran and former UFC fighter Urijah Faber. Notably, Lazishvili stepped into the match on 24 hours’ notice after circumstances forced a reshuffle of the original card (Umar Nurmagomedov was initially scheduled to wrestle Faber).
Both victories came just two days after a major scandal that placed the athletes in the spotlight. On November 11, a mass brawl erupted in the lobby of the Yas Hilton hotel in Abu Dhabi between Usman Nurmagomedov’s entourage and Merab Dvalishvili. The confrontation escalated into a physical altercation, leaving Dvalishvili and his friend Saba Lazishvili injured.
Following the incident, police detained the participants. The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department subsequently issued rulings against those involved: several individuals who took part in the brawl or filmed the incident received prison sentences, substantial fines, and deportation orders. Dvalishvili and Lazishvili were released from custody after paying fines for disturbing public order, clearing the way for them to compete on the RAF mat.
