UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has issued a call for compassion following a violent altercation in an Abu Dhabi hotel lobby.
The fighter, who spent two days in a detention center, stated he would not press charges against those involved in the incident, according to Yahoo Sports.
Dvalishvili publicly requested that authorities release PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov and seven other individuals currently jailed for the brawl, the outlets reported.
The group received six-month jail sentences, heavy fines, and orders for deportation on Friday, as noted by the source.
In a social media statement, Dvalishvili expressed his desire for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
“I do hope that they release everyone – i would not press charges,” the fighter wrote on X.
The incident, which left Dvalishvili and his associate Saba Lazishvili bloodied, occurred prior to the RAF event in Abu Dhabi, per video footage of the brawl.
UFC CEO Dana White condemned the actions of the group, labeling them “a bunch of f***ing idiots” in comments made to the media.
Despite the criticism, UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has publicly defended the attack on social media, according to reports.
Dvalishvili and Lazishvili were each fined 50,000 UAE Dirhams but avoided jail time, the outlets confirmed.
While Dvalishvili aims to move forward, it remains unclear if the Abu Dhabi authorities will honor his request to release those sentenced for the attack.