Georgian wrestler Saba Lazishvili has been added to the RAF Abu Dhabi card at Etihad Arena on short notice.
The 21-year-old athlete will replace Umar Nurmagomedov in a freestyle wrestling match against UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber, according to Yahoo Sports.
Lazishvili was recently involved in a violent hotel lobby altercation alongside former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili.
Video footage depicted Usman Nurmagomedov approaching Dvalishvili and striking him, which ignited a mass brawl that left both men visibly bruised and bloodied, as noted by multiple reports.
Following the incident, Abu Dhabi authorities detained multiple individuals, including Dvalishvili and Lazishvili, though both have since been released.
Eight defendants, including Usman Nurmagomedov, received six-month jail sentences, fines of 300,000 UAE Dirhams and deportation orders, the outlets reported.
UFC CEO Dana White addressed the situation during a press conference in New York City.
White characterized the perpetrators as “a bunch of f***ing idiots” while condemning the violent conduct.
“It’s absolutely ridiculous and stupid and they’re all in jail,” White stated, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
Despite the physical toll of the brawl, Dvalishvili is still scheduled to compete at the event against Marlon Moraes.
The addition of Lazishvili to the wrestling card marks a significant turn for the Georgian fighter after a tumultuous week in the United Arab Emirates.
The event is set to proceed at the Etihad Arena as originally planned, per event organizers.