The victim has become the advocate. Hours after an Abu Dhabi court sentenced Nurmagomedov to six months in prison on Friday for his role in Wednesday’s hotel ambush, Merab Dvalishvili broke his silence to say he wanted the PFL champion and the seven others sentenced alongside him set free.

Dvalishvili, who had himself been held in the case before being released early on Friday, laid out his position in a social media post. It was his first public statement since the attack.

“I do hope that they release everyone. I would not press charges. I want peace and the best for all,” Dvalishvili wrote.

The UFC bantamweight and his friend Saba Lazishvili avoided jail. Each was fined 50,000 UAE dirhams, around $13,600. Nurmagomedov and seven co-defendants received six-month prison terms, 300,000-dirham fines of roughly $81,688, and deportation orders.

Read also: “That’s how it’s going to be”: Lewis Hamilton issues warning to Ferrari

What happened in the hotel lobby

The attack took place on the night of Wednesday 11 November at the Yas Hilton, where fighters were staying ahead of Real American Freestyle’s Abu Dhabi card at Etihad Arena on Saturday 14 November. Dvalishvili was recording a video message in the lobby when Nurmagomedov approached him from behind, exchanged words and struck him across the face, setting off a mass brawl that left Dvalishvili and Lazishvili bloodied.

Footage of the ambush, filmed and circulated on social media, drew condemnation across the sport within hours.

Dana White: ‘A bunch of f***ing idiots’

UFC president Dana White did not hide his anger when asked about the incident.

“What a bunch of f***ing idiots. It’s absolutely ridiculous and stupid, and they’re all in jail. That is not a place to go f*** around,” White told reporters.

Read also: Mauricio Pochettino reportedly eyes Real Madrid superstar as dream Manchester United signing

White added that Nurmagomedov remains under PFL contract and that the UFC has no reason to be discussing him in the near term.

Conor McGregor also weighed in on social media, posting a photoshopped image that referenced his 2018 bus assault on Khabib Nurmagomedov’s team, with Ilia Topuria’s face stitched into the picture.

Nurmagomedov still in detention

Nurmagomedov is being held in an Abu Dhabi detention centre on his six-month sentence. For now, the man Dvalishvili has publicly asked authorities to free is going nowhere.

Read also: Tottenham face January transfer dilemma as Juventus target unhappy Destiny Udogie