ACA president Magomed Bibulatov announced at a press conference in St. Petersburg that Abdul-Aziz Abdulvakhabov has vacated the lightweight championship. Daud Shaikhaev, who held the interim title, is now promoted to undisputed champion. Additionally, multiple events were announced: ACA 204 in Omsk this July will feature Shlemenko vs. Emeev as the main event, with co-main Shurkevich vs. Dudaev, plus Khabibullin vs. Grozin and Matmuratov vs. Sulumov. ACA 206 in Moscow this August will have two title fights: Vakhaev vs. Aliakbari and Shaikhaev vs. Tumenov.
ACA president Magomed Bibulatov announced at a press conference in St. Petersburg that Abdul-Aziz Abdulvakhabov has relinquished the promotion's lightweight title, with interim champion Daud Shaikhaev immediately elevated to undisputed champion.
Shaikhaev's promotion sets the stage for his first title defense, which Bibulatov confirmed will headline ACA 206 in Moscow this August. The card will also feature a second championship bout between Vakhaev and Amir Aliakbari. Aliakbari, a 42-year-old Iranian heavyweight competing out of AKA Thailand, carries a record of 10 wins and one loss and stands 191 cm tall, making him a formidable physical presence in any title picture.
Before Moscow, ACA 204 heads to Omsk in July with a headline clash between Alexander Shlemenko and Emeev. Shlemenko, nicknamed Storm, is a 42-year-old Russian veteran with a record of 56-9. Fighting out of his own Storm Shlemenko Fight Team, he lands 4.36 significant strikes per minute at a 60 percent accuracy rate, numbers that reflect a career built on sustained offensive pressure. ACA 204's co-main event will pit Shurkevich against Dudaev, with Khabibullin versus Grozin and Matmuratov versus Sulumov rounding out the announced bouts.
Why it matters
- Abdulvakhabov's vacancy reshapes the ACA lightweight division and gives Shaikhaev an immediate chance to legitimize his reign against Tumenov at ACA 206.
- A second title fight on the Moscow card — Vakhaev versus Aliakbari — makes ACA 206 a high-stakes double-championship event.
- Shlemenko's return at ACA 204 in Omsk draws significant attention given his 56-fight résumé and the promotional weight his name carries within the Russian MMA market.
