Eight people have received prison sentences for their roles in a mass brawl involving MMA fighters Usman Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili at a hotel in Abu Dhabi, according to Yahoo Sports.
The altercation occurred Wednesday and was captured on video, which appeared to show Nurmagomedov approaching Dvalishvili from behind and slapping the former UFC champion, reported the BBC.
Abu Dhabi police confirmed that the subsequent fighting between the two teams led to 10 arrests, and all defendants were eventually convicted, the National reported.
According to the report, six defendants were sentenced to six months in prison, fined £62,000 each and ordered to be deported for “disturbing public security, causing panic and endangering lives.”
Two additional individuals received the same prison and fine terms for “violating privacy by using information technology to film and publish footage of the brawl,” per the National.
The final two defendants were fined £10,200 each for their involvement in the incident, which included assaulting others, the outlet added.
While none of the individuals involved were named, Real American Freestyle co-founder Chad Bronstein confirmed that Dvalishvili has been released from custody.
“I’m pleased to share that Merab Dvalishvili is back with us in Abu Dhabi,” Bronstein stated.
He further noted that the organization appreciates the professionalism and support shown by relevant authorities in the United Arab Emirates.
Dvalishvili, 35, had been scheduled to compete against Brazilian fighter Marlon Moraes at an event this Saturday.
Following the incident, the fighter released a video showing his bloodied face and referred to the Nurmagomedov team as “snakes,” according to the BBC.
UFC President Dana White addressed the incident on Friday, describing the altercation as “ridiculous” and “stupid,” while referring to the participants as “a bunch of idiots.”
The two teams reportedly had a previous altercation during a July event, which UFC champion Islam Makhachev suggested served as a catalyst for the violence seen on Wednesday.