Eight sentenced to jail over Nurmagomedov-Dvalishvili brawl

Eight people have received prison sentences for their part in mass brawl involving MMA fighters Usman Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili at a hotel in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

A video of the incident appeared to show Russian Nurmagomedov slapping former UFC bantamweight champion Dvalishvili after approaching the Georgian from behind.

Fighting then broke out between the two and members of their teams, with Abu Dhabi police later confirming the incident led to 10 arrests being made.

According to a social media post by Abu Dhabi's judicial department, all 10 defendants have been convicted for their part in the brawl.

A report by Abu Dhabi news outlet the National went into more detail, adding that six of the defendants were sentenced to six months in prison, fined £62,000 each and ordered to be deported after completing their sentences.

It added they have been convicted for "disturbing public security, causing panic and endangering lives".

Two others were given the same punishment, but for "violating privacy by using information technology to film and publish footage of the brawl".

The remaining two defendants were fined £10,200 each for "disturbing public security and assaulting others".

None of the defendants have yet been named, but Real American Freestyle (RAF) co-founder Chad Bronstein says Dvalishvili has been released from custody.

"I'm pleased to share that Merab Dvalishvili is back with us in Abu Dhabi," Bronstein said in a statement.

"We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the relevant authorities in Abu Dhabi for their professionalism and support.

"We remain focused on moving forward and are pleased to have Merab back with us."

BBC Sport has asked Abu Dhabi's judicial department for confirmation.

Dvalishvili, 35, was scheduled to compete at the RAF event in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday against Brazilian Marlon Moraes.

Dvalishvili released a video after the incident calling Nurmagomedov, 28, and his team "snakes" as he received treatment on his bloodied face.

Nurmagomedov is in Abu Dhabi to support his brother Umar, who was set to compete against American Urijah Faber at Saturday's event.

Nurmagomedov and Dvalishvili's teams had a previous altercation at a RAF event in July, which UFC champion Islam Makhachev - a close friend and training partner of the Nurmagomedovs - suggested led to Wednesday's brawl.

Nurmagomedov is the PFL lightweight champion but is out of contract after winning his last bout with the organisation in July.

He has been heavily linked with a switch to the UFC but on Friday the promotion's president Dana White said he had not spoken to the Russian.

White then called the altercation "ridiculous" and "stupid", and referred to the participants as "a bunch of idiots".