Paulo Costa Suggests Hilarious Prison Punishment for Men Accused of Attacking Merab Dvalishvili

UFC middleweight Paulo Costa has delivered a hilarious response to the reported altercation involving former bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili at a hotel lobby in Abu Dhabi. The Brazilian fighter proposed an unusual punishment for the men Dvalishvili has accused of attacking him, borrowing a popular phrase associated with UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev.

Costa’s comment quickly stood out because of its reference to one of the most recognisable lines in Dagestani mixed martial arts. Rather than repeating Makhachev’s original wording, the Brazilian changed the message into a joke about spending time behind bars.

Paulo Costa Mocks the Abu Dhabi Incident With Islam Makhachev Reference

Islam Makhachev’s phrase, “2-3 years Dagestan and forget,” has become familiar among MMA fans. Costa used the same structure to suggest a different destination for those allegedly involved in the incident with Dvalishvili.

“2.3 years in prision and forget,” he wrote on X.

The comment was a humorous play on Makhachev’s famous line, replacing the reference to Dagestan with a prison sentence. Costa did not provide any further details about the alleged confrontation, but his post offered a light-hearted reaction to an incident that has attracted considerable attention in the MMA community.

Costa and Dvalishvili also share a running friendship built around a food-related joke at the UFC Performance Institute. The Brazilian previously filmed himself taking a lunchbox labelled with the Georgian fighter’s name, creating an amusing moment between the two fighters.

Merab Dvalishvili Describes Alleged Attack in Abu Dhabi

The controversy began after Merab Dvalishvili alleged that he and a friend were attacked by a group of men in a hotel lobby in Abu Dhabi. According to Dvalishvili’s account, Usman Nurmagomedov and a group of approximately 20 men approached them from behind while he was conducting an interview for RAF.

Dvalishvili claimed that he and his friend were punched and kicked while on the ground. He also alleged that security personnel were holding him during the confrontation, leaving him unable to respond freely.

The Georgian fighter and his friend reportedly suffered visible injuries, including bloodied and bruised faces. Dvalishvili maintained that they stood their ground despite being confronted by several people.

Footage shared and later deleted by Ilia Topuria reportedly showed a man identified as Usman slapping Dvalishvili before the larger altercation. Dvalishvili also named Umar Nurmagomedov in connection with the incident.

These remain allegations made by Dvalishvili, and the available reports do not establish the full circumstances or responsibility for the confrontation.

Merab Dvalishvili and the Nurmagomedov Camp Had Previous Tensions

The reported Abu Dhabi incident was not the first public disagreement involving Dvalishvili and members of the Nurmagomedov circle. An earlier confrontation took place at RAF Georgia, where Dvalishvili slapped Ahmed Gadzhimagomedov backstage in front of a home crowd.

Gadzhimagomedov was described as a friend of Usman Nurmagomedov. The incident added to the tension between the Georgian fighter and people associated with the Nurmagomedov camp.

Islam Makhachev, a longtime training partner of the Nurmagomedovs, also referred to the earlier incident while defending Usman. His comments brought renewed attention to the history between the fighters and their respective camps.

Dvalishvili previously defeated Umar Nurmagomedov by unanimous decision at UFC 311 in January 2025. That result added another competitive connection between the two fighters, although it does not establish Umar’s involvement in the alleged hotel confrontation.

Authorities Reportedly Questioned People Involved

Developments following the incident remained unclear in the reports available on Thursday. MMA journalist Ariel Helwani reported that everyone involved was still being detained by local authorities. Ilia Topuria also stated that Usman had been detained.

However, other reports described police questioning without confirming that arrests had taken place. The different accounts left uncertainty surrounding the legal status of those involved.

As of Thursday, neither Usman nor Umar Nurmagomedov had publicly addressed the allegations, according to the supplied reports. There was also no confirmation that criminal charges had been filed.

It is important to distinguish between reported questioning, detention and formal arrest, as these terms do not necessarily describe the same legal situation. The full details of the investigation had not been established.

RAF Abu Dhabi Bouts Remain Scheduled Despite the Controversy

The reported confrontation also raised questions about the upcoming RAF Abu Dhabi event. Dvalishvili was scheduled to wrestle Marlon Moraes on Saturday, while Umar Nurmagomedov was booked to face Urijah Faber.

Despite the controversy and reports involving local authorities, neither bout had been called off as of Thursday. The scheduled appearances therefore remained part of the event plans at that time.

The situation has attracted attention beyond the immediate incident because several prominent MMA names are connected to the story. With Dvalishvili’s allegations, the reported involvement of members of the Nurmagomedov camp and reactions from fighters such as Costa and Topuria, the controversy has become a major talking point among fans.

Paulo Costa’s Joke Adds Another Chapter to the MMA Rivalry

Paulo Costa’s “2.3 years in prision and forget” comment brought humour into a developing controversy involving serious allegations. By adapting Islam Makhachev’s famous phrase, the Brazilian found a way to express his reaction while maintaining his playful online personality.

However, the larger situation remains unresolved. Dvalishvili has described an alleged group attack, reports have offered differing accounts of the authorities’ actions, and the named individuals had not publicly responded as of Thursday.

Until more verified information becomes available, the circumstances of the Abu Dhabi confrontation and any potential legal consequences remain uncertain. For now, Costa’s post has added another viral moment to a story that continues to attract attention across the MMA world.