Dana has Merab Dvalishvili back on the RAF card in Abu Dhabi after a hotel lobby ambush earlier in the week. RAF said he was set for Saturday night, and Sabaa Lazishvili was added to the same card.
Chad Bronstein said, “I’m pleased to share that Merab Dvalishvili is back with us in Abu Dhabi,” then added, “We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the relevant authorities in Abu Dhabi for their professionalism and support.” RAF also said on Instagram that Dvalishvili was set for Saturday night’s bout.
Sabaa Lazishvili joins RAF Abu Dhabi
Sabaa Lazishvili, a 21-year-old wrestler from Georgia, was added to the RAF Abu Dhabi card at Etihad Arena in the United Arab Emirates. He was set to replace Umar Nurmagomedov and face Urijah Faber, a change that kept the show intact after the altercation involving Merab Dvalishvili and Sabaa Lazishvili.
Dvalishvili described the scene in a social media statement: “My young friend, he’s only a 21-year-old wrestler from Georgia, and he was with me,” and added, “He fought both brothers, Usman and Umar. He said, ‘I’m moving to MMA if two guys can only do this to me.’ And then he also fought the other guys.”
Usman Nurmagomedov fallout
The altercation carried separate consequences for Usman Nurmagomedov. On Wednesday, he was reported to be facing six months in prison, an $82,000 fine, and deportation after serving the prison term.
Dvalishvili also said, “Oh my God. Security was holding me, and they were kicking and punching us. What the heck? Life is good, guys. Everything is good. Everything is good.” He said he did not want to press charges, even as the reported penalties against Usman Nurmagomedov pointed in the opposite direction.
The storyline reaches Saturday night with Dvalishvili cleared to wrestle and Lazishvili installed as the replacement on the RAF Abu Dhabi card. Dvalishvili’s return lands only days after the hotel lobby ambush, and the promotion’s next move is already built into the lineup rather than left to later discipline.
