Ahmed Gadzhimagomedov has publicly addressed his conflict with Merab Dvalishvili and the incident in Abu Dhabi. He says that when he approached Dvalishvili at a press conference, Dvalishvili struck him and insulted his mother in Georgian, and never apologised. Gadzhimagomedov says the two later met in an elevator, where he told Dvalishvili "we are not finished," and that Dvalishvili's brother heard it. He claims his associates acted before he could confront Dvalishvili himself, calls the matter a personal conflict between them, and says it will be settled sooner or later.
Ahmed Gadzhimagomedov has given his account of a confrontation with Merab Dvalishvili in Abu Dhabi, saying the two have unfinished business that he expects to be settled eventually.
Gadzhimagomedov says he approached Dvalishvili at a press conference, and that Dvalishvili struck him and insulted his mother in Georgian. He says Dvalishvili never apologised. According to his version, the two later ended up in an elevator together, where he told Dvalishvili "we are not finished." He says Dvalishvili's brother was present and heard it.
He also claims his associates stepped in before he could confront Dvalishvili himself. Gadzhimagomedov describes the matter as a personal conflict between the two men and says it will be resolved "sooner or later." The account is his alone, and nothing in it has been independently confirmed.
Dvalishvili's situation
Dvalishvili, 35, is a Georgian bantamweight who trains with the Serra-Longo Fight Team. He is ranked number one in the division and number two in the pound-for-pound list, with a record of 21-6-0.
His recent form is a significant part of the context. His most recent recorded fight was a unanimous-decision loss to Petr Yan on October 24, 2026, at UFC 333, a five-round title bout. That followed another unanimous-decision loss to Yan on December 6, 2025, at UFC 323, also for the title. Before those two defeats, he beat Cory Sandhagen by unanimous decision in a five-round title fight at UFC 320 on October 4, 2025.
Dvalishvili's numbers reflect his wrestling-heavy approach. He averages 5.74 takedowns per 15 minutes, lands 4.48 significant strikes per minute and connects at 41 percent accuracy. At five-foot-six with a 68-inch reach, he is compact for the division.
Why it matters
- Dvalishvili has lost his last two fights, both to Yan in title bouts, so the dispute lands while he is trying to regain momentum.
- Gadzhimagomedov frames the issue as personal and open-ended, with no bout mentioned in his comments.
- Only one side has spoken so far. Dvalishvili's version of events has not been reported.
