# Islam Makhachev defends Usman Nurmagomedov after bloody Merab Dvalishvili attack — ‘Merab started it’ > HelixNews · Web page: https://helixnews.one/story/1434461 · All pages for agents: https://helixnews.one/llms.txt 3 outlets covering · First listed: Yahoo Sports, Nov 11, 2026, 5:00 PM · Read it: Islam Makhachev believes Wednesday’s ugly hotel ambush did not begin in Abu Dhabi. Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili was left bloodied after being confronted by Usman Nurmagomedov and several members of his entourage ahead of this weekend’s Real American Freestyle (RAF) event. Footage from the incident shows Nurmagomedov approaching Dvalishvili from ## Who's covering it In the order they published: - Nov 11, 2026, 11:11 AM: [UFC Star Merab Dvalishvili Left Bloodied After Alleged Attack From Usman Nurmagomedov]() — Sports Illustrated (Sports, United States) UFC star Merab Dvalisvhili claims that he and a friend were jumped by Usman Nurmagomedov and several others while in Abu Dhabi for this weekend's Real American Freestyle event. - Nov 11, 2026, 11:41 AM: [Video shows Merab Dvalishvili attacked by Usman Nurmagomedov and others at RAF event in Abu Dhabi]() — CBS Sports (Sports, United States) Former UFC champion Ilia Topuria posted a video of the attack - Nov 11, 2026, 5:00 PM: [Islam Makhachev defends Usman Nurmagomedov after bloody Merab Dvalishvili attack — ‘Merab started it’]() — Yahoo Sports (Sports, United States) Islam Makhachev believes Wednesday’s ugly hotel ambush did not begin in Abu Dhabi. Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili was left bloodied after being confronted by Usman Nurmagomedov and several members of his entourage ahead of this weekend’s Real American Freestyle (RAF) event. Footage from the incident shows Nurmagomedov approaching Dvalishvili from