‘What a bunch of f*cking idiots’: Dana White reacts to Usman Nurmagomedov attacking Merab Dvalishvili
Dana White blasted the roadside clash involving Usman Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili, saying fighters have no business brawling away from the cage.
White had no patience for the scene that unfolded ahead of RAF Abu Dhabi on Saturday, and his reaction to the Tuesday incident was blunt. He condemned the out-of-cage violence and called the fighters “What a bunch of f*cking idiots.”
The trouble began after videos surfaced showing Dvalishvili giving an interview. Nurmagomedov then walked over, confronted him and unleashed a slap that quickly triggered a large brawl. What had started as a routine media moment turned into a chaotic melee in a matter of seconds.
Fights around combat sports cards often come with tension, but promotions generally try to keep those moments controlled. Interview areas, stage events and walkarounds are meant to build interest, not create safety risks, and any physical altercation can force officials and security staff into damage control. Incidents like this also shift attention away from the actual fight and toward discipline, conduct and whether the event can stay orderly.
With RAF Abu Dhabi set for Saturday, the confrontation has already added an unwanted layer to the build-up. Whether the incident leads to any further consequences remains to be seen, but it has clearly become part of the conversation around the event. For now, the focus will be on whether the rest of fight week stays calm and whether the rivalry, whatever form it takes, is settled where it is supposed to be: inside the cage.
