"What A Bunch Of F***ing Idiots": Dana White Loses Patience After Usman Nurmagomedov-Merab Dvalishvili Chaos

Dana White shuts down UFC talks with Usman Nurmagomedov.© NDTV Photo Library

Dana White has blasted Usman Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili over their Abu Dhabi hotel brawl, calling everyone involved a bunch of idiots. The UFC CEO also confirmed the promotion is not negotiating with Nurmagomedov, who remains under an exclusive negotiating period with the PFL. Footage surfaced this week showing Nurmagomedov approaching Dvalishvili during a promotional interview before slapping him across the face. The incident sparked a multi-person brawl ahead of Saturday's Real American Freestyle event, leaving Dvalishvili bloodied.

Dana White says the Usman vs Merab brawl is NOT good for business: “That stuff is never good for business. It makes everyone involved look bad. It's unfortunate. Now they're all in jail in Abu Dhabi. We'll see how that goes.” (via @adamglyn) https://t.co/bwzerdG44G

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) November 13, 2026

White delivers blunt verdict on brawl

Dana White addressed the incident at Thursday's UFC 334 pre-fight press conference in New York. “What a bunch of f***ing idiots. It's absolutely ridiculous and stupid, and they're all in jail. That is not a place to go f*** around,” he said.

White later told street journalist Adam Glyn that the brawl was “never good for business". “It makes everyone involved look bad. It's unfortunate. Now they're all in jail in Abu Dhabi. We'll see how that goes,” he said.

Abu Dhabi police arrested 10 people in connection with the brawl, including eight involved in the fight and two who filmed it. All were referred to the Public Prosecution for further legal proceedings.

UFC not negotiating with Nurmagomedov

Dana White shut down talk of signing Usman Nurmagomedov, saying, "He's still under contract. We're not talking to him right now anyway.”

Nurmagomedov closed out his PFL contract on July 31 with a first-round knockout of Archie Colgan, improving to 22-0 with one no-contest. His manager, Ali Abdelaziz, confirmed the 90-day exclusive negotiating window with the PFL is still active.

Abdelaziz had previously said the UFC was interested in signing Nurmagomedov after his camp reportedly turned down a $2 million offer from the PFL. The UFC's interest has now been put on hold following the brawl.

Merab Dvalishvili was released from custody alongside Saba Lazishvili

Merab Dvalishvili and his friend Saba Lazishvili were released from custody on Friday morning after being fined Dh50,000 (about $13,600) each. Both were fined for disturbing public security and assaulting others but avoided prison time.

Nurmagomedov and five members of his team were sentenced to six months in prison and fined Dh300,000 (about $81,700) each.

They were ordered to be deported after serving their sentences. The court found them guilty of disturbing public security, causing panic and endangering lives.

The brawl stemmed from what police described as “previous disputes” between the two groups. Dvalishvili is now expected to compete at RAF Abu Dhabi, where he is scheduled to wrestle Marlon Moraes at Etihad Arena on Saturday.