What should have been a routine walkout turned into a moment of panic at UFC 316 when a crowd barrier collapsed during Merab Dvalishvili’s entrance to the arena, nearly derailing his championship title defense before it even began.
Footage captured from an alternative angle shows the dramatic moment when excited fans pushed forward, causing the security barrier to give way as Dvalishvili approached. The Georgian star, known for his engaging entrances and fan interaction, found himself in the middle of unexpected chaos.
“What happened was I’m walking and people tried to touch me and then I tried to jump touch them and I guess they pushed the barrier,” Dvalishvili explained after the event. “They jumped and they almost kicked me in the head and they almost knocked me out before I walk in. The barrier got broke or something because people push.”
In the video, which has since gone viral on social media, security personnel can be heard repeatedly shouting “Let me go!” as they attempted to manage the situation. The urgency in their voices underscores the seriousness of the moment as they worked to protect both the fighter and fans.
Security quickly responded by positioning Dvalishvili against a wall for his protection, a move that momentarily confused the fighter.
“Then security put me against the wall and I’m like ‘bro, I’m a fighter, let me go,'” he recalled.
Despite the alarming incident, Dvalishvili maintained his composure, demonstrating the mental fortitude that has made him a champion. He proceeded with his walkout and went on to successfully defend his title with a submission victory later that evening.
“I see what happened. I’m just professional and I don’t… I mean nothing I can do that time. I cannot really help people or I cannot really… this happened and happen and I have to make sure to act again,” he reflected, showing remarkable poise.
UFC officials later confirmed that no fans were injured during the incident, a fortunate outcome considering how the situation could have escalated. The organization will likely review their security protocols for fighter entrances at future events to prevent similar occurrences.
