Dvalishvili's Georgia Slap Ignites Old UFC Rivalry, Nurmagomedov Fires Back

The long-standing bad blood between top UFC bantamweights Umar Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili boiled over last month in Tbilisi, Georgia, when Dvalishvili reportedly slapped Nurmagomedov's friend, Ahmed Gadzhimagomedov, at a Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling event. Nurmagomedov has now publicly slammed Dvalishvili's actions, calling out his character and defending his friend who approached Dvalishvili to ask about a potential rematch and past harsh comments. This physical altercation significantly escalates an already intense rivalry between two of the sport's elite. The incident on July 11, 2026, saw Gadzhimagomedov confront Dvalishvili about an earlier insult and the prospect of Dvalishvili facing Nurmagomedov again, leading to Dvalishvili physically striking him. The animosity between the two fighters has been simmering since their January 2025 clash at UFC 311, where Merab 'The Machine' Dvalishvili secured a unanimous decision victory over 'Young Eagle' Umar Nurmagomedov to retain his then-UFC Bantamweight Championship. While Dvalishvili has since lost his title to Petr Yan at UFC 323 in December 2025, he remains a top contender, currently ranked #1 in the bantamweight division. Nurmagomedov, ranked #2, is gearing up for a pivotal fight against Song Yadong on August 29, 2026. With Nurmagomedov preparing for his upcoming UFC Fight Night main event against Song Yadong in Shanghai, and Dvalishvili awaiting a trilogy bout against Petr Yan, this public spat adds a volatile new chapter to their story. The confrontation has fueled speculation of a potential rematch down the line, now imbued with even more personal stakes. Fans will be watching closely to see if this verbal warfare translates into another explosive encounter inside the Octagon, or perhaps even another unexpected confrontation outside of it.