UFC star and 21-year-old friend reportedly cleared to wrestle at RAF days after fending off hotel lobby ambush

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Merab Dvalishvili started his week getting ambushed in a hotel lobby, but he's still ending it Saturday night in the ring.

That's right. Despite some headwinds — which you'll see in just a minute — the former UFC champion will reportedly wrestle Marlon Moraes at RAF (Real American Freestyle) later today on FOX Nation.

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"I’m pleased to share that Merab Dvalishvili is back with us in Abu Dhabi," RAF CEO and co-founder Chad Bronstein wrote in a statement. "We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the relevant authorities in Abu Dhabi for their professionalism and support.

"We remain focused on moving forward and are pleased to have Merab back with us."

RAF confirmed via Instagram that Dvalishvili was "confirmed" for tonight's bout.

Here's footage from the scuffle (probably an understatement), which took place earlier in the week in a hotel lobby:

MMA FIGHTERS, INCLUDING FORMER UFC CHAMP, GET INTO WILD MELEE AT ABU DHABI HOTEL LOBBY

Former UFC champ will still wrestle

Goodness gracious. What a fight! What an attack. That's what we call an ambush in the business, folks. Just brutal stuff.

Credit to Dvalishvili, who held his own — along with his buddy, 21-year-old Sabaa Lazishvili. That was the most impressive part. You expect the former UFC fighter to stand his ground, but his friend really stepped up to the plate here.

Credit where it's due.

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"My young friend, he’s only a 21-year-old wrestler from Georgia, and he was with me," Dvalishvili said via social media. "He fought both brothers, Usman and Umar. He said, ‘I’m moving to MMA if two guys can only do this to me.’ And then he also fought the other guys.

"Oh my God. Security was holding me, and they were kicking and punching us. What the heck? Life is good, guys. Everything is good. Everything is good."

Khabib Nurmagomedov before a bout between Merab Dvalishvili (not pictured) fights Umar Nurmagomedov (not pictured) during UFC 311 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., on Jan. 18, 2025. (Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images)

Merab Dvalishvili fights Sean O'Malley in a bantamweight title fight during UFC 316 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on June 7, 2025. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Here's the real kicker: Lazishvili has now been ADDED to Saturday's RAF Abu Dhabi card at Etihad Arena in the United Arab Emirates. The Georgian will actually replace Umar Nurmagomedov and will reportedly face UFC legend Urijah Faber.

Amazing.

As for Nurmagomedov ... he's currently facing six months in prison after Wednesday's attack, and will also have to pay an $82,000 fine and be ordered to deportation following his prison term. Dvalishvili has since said he doesn't want to press charges.

Industry insiders believe Wednesday's attack stems from UFC 311 back in January 2025. Dvalishvili defended his bantamweight title via unanimous decision, and the two traded barbs ever since.

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Seems like Dvalishvili may have gotten the last laugh, though ...