Merab Dvalishvili and his friend Sabu Lazishvili are reportedly still in jail today, despite having been jumped by Usman Nurmagomedov and at least six other people in a hotel lobby in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

It had already been known that Nurmagomedov had been detained after instigating the attack by slapping Merab from behind, but according to Sabu’s brother Zviad Lazishvili, the two victims also still remain in custody after being taken in for questioning too.

“Unfortunately, my brother Saba and Merab, both of them are in jail up until now,” Zviad said in a video on social media. “They are not released yet, and they’re saying that they might stay there 48 hours and then a judge will decide how things will unfold, which I think is totally unfair because my brothers didn’t do anything bad. They were just defending themselves, and they had no other choice but to fight and fight back.

“So please, whoever has the power or some connections to help them out, speak up and come forward. Already some Georgian guys, very good friends, contacted us and they’re trying to get some lawyers and get the situation worked out.”

Meanwhile, the RAF wrestling event that the fighters had been in Abh Dhabi for in the first place have revealed that Usman Nurmagomedov has been banned from attending this weekend’s event, where his brother Umar is set to compete.

On the other hand, RAF co-founder Chad Bronstein has confirmed that Merab is still welcome to participate in his match-up against Marlon Moraes.

“We are working through the situation right now,” Bronstein said.

“Merab is doing well. We are working through the situation now with the UAE. We are hoping that the situation is resolved sooner than later.

“And obviously Usman will not be attending our event on Saturday night.

“We are hoping that Merab is competing. I mean, he flew down here, and he’s been an unbelievable competitor for RAF. I think this is RAF number five for him. So we are hoping that Merab does compete.”