‘We should do better as Muslims, human beings and athletes’: Usman Nurmagomedov’s manager apologizes to Abu Dhabi management and people on behalf of his team after brawl

Ali Abdelaziz is apologizing to Abu Dhabi on behalf of Usman Nurmagomedov’s team, calling the brawl at the hotel embarrassing and unacceptable. Usman Nurmagomedov’s manager Ali Abdelaziz has apologized to Abu Dhabi and its management following a violent confrontation involving members of the Russian fighter’s camp and Merab Dvalishvili. Following the arrest and incident that drew criticism from the UFC, Abdelaziz acknowledged that his team’s behavior was unacceptable, while admitting that the ramifications extend far beyond the fighters directly involved.

Ali Abdelaziz apologizes to Abu Dhabi on behalf of Nurmagomedov and his team

talk to MMA junkie on Thursday, November 12, Abdelaziz expressed embarrassment over the incident and apologized to the people and leadership of Abu Dhabi, where the confrontation took place.“I’m really sorry (about Wednesday’s events). It’s embarrassing what happened. I hope these young men learn a good lesson. It’s something that shouldn’t happen again.”“All our guys have to set a good example (…) I didn’t sleep for a couple of days trying to make it better. I don’t think I can say any words to make it better. For the people of Abu Dhabi, for the management, this is something that will never happen again.”“We should do better as Muslims, as people, as athletes (…) What happened was something unacceptable and it should never happen again.”Abdelaziz also clarified that the apology was not limited to Nurmagomedov’s individual behavior but extended to a wider group associated with him. He admitted that the incident was deeply disrespectful to the host city and that the fighters involved have a responsibility to properly represent themselves and their teams.The confrontation took place on Wednesday, November 11, at a hotel in Abu Dhabi where Dvalishvili was filming an interview before a Real American Freestyle wrestling event. The footage showed Nurmagomedov approaching the Georgian fighter from behind and slapping him, triggering a wider fight involving members of both groups. Dvalishvili and a friend tried to fight back against Nurmagomedov and several members of his entourage, with the former UFC bantamweight champion subsequently sharing footage of his bloodied face.Abu Dhabi police confirmed 10 arrests following the incident, with eight people detained for their alleged involvement in the fight and two others for filming it. Those arrested were handed over to the public prosecutor’s office. Authorities have not publicly identified the detainees.

Abdelaziz says neither side was justified in the confrontation

The manager also addressed suggestions that Dvalishvili’s previous comments about Nurmagomedov’s team contributed to the confrontation or justified the response. Abdelaziz rejected the argument, insisting that previous disagreements could not excuse what happened at the hotel.“Two wrongs don’t make a right. I’m not going to sit here and say he did it or he didn’t do it. These guys are young and you can’t put into words that he was wrong. I think both sides were wrong and two wrongs don’t make a right and it’s a good lesson for everybody. Merab was there a few weeks ago. We had a man trained in Khabi a few weeks ago. We trained better with Khabi. To learn from that mistake. It was that extremely disrespectful to the people of Abu Dhabi, we need to do better and behave better.His mention of Dvalishvili training at Khabib Nurmagomedov’s gym came amid a wider relationship between the Georgian fighter and the Dagestani camp. Abdelaziz did not attempt to take responsibility for the confrontation through his previous disagreements, instead acknowledging that the situation could have been handled differently and that emotional responses do not justify violence.The apology follows criticism from UFC president Dan White, who described those involved as “a group of fing idiots” and called the incident “absolutely ridiculous and stupid” at a press conference on Thursday. White also said confrontation is “not the place to go. around’, referring to the fact that those arrested were being held in Abu Dhabi.

Usman Nurmagomedov’s career and the wider team are facing consequences

Abdelaziz admitted the incident could affect more than Usman Nurmagomedov’s immediate future, with ramifications potentially extending to his cousin Khabib Nurmagomedov and the wider team.“On Usman’s career: The guy is one of the best fighters in the world. Obviously that affects everybody. It affects him, Khabib, everybody. But I’m not worried about his fighting career right now. I’m worried about his well-being and how he’s going to get out of this,” MMA Junkie said.The manager’s comments come at a difficult time for Nurmagomedov, who has attracted attention as a potential UFC signing after completing his latest contract with the Professional Fighters League. However, White clarified on Thursday that the Russian remained under contract with the PFL and that the UFC is not currently negotiating a deal with him.“He’s still under contract (with the PFL). We’re not talking to him right now anyway,” White said.Nurmagomedov has also been banned from Saturday’s RAF event in Abu Dhabi, a decision confirmed by co-founder Chad Bronstein. Dvalishvili was scheduled to fight Marlon Moraes at the November 14 event, while Usman’s brother Umar was slated to compete against Urijah Faber. Their participation remains uncertain after the confrontation, and no equivalent announcement has confirmed that Umar or Dvališvili have been ruled out.Abdelaziz’s apology addressed the responsibility of the wider team and the offense caused to Abu Dhabi, but the legal proceedings remain separate. The detainees will be handed over to the public prosecutor’s office, where the authorities will determine the next course of action in the case.