Abdul-Aziz Abdulvakhabov has vacated the ACA lightweight championship, with the undisputed champion status now transferring to Daud Shaikhayev, who previously held the interim title. ACA president Magomed Bibulatov announced this during a press conference in Saint Petersburg. The promotion also confirmed several upcoming fights, including ACA 204 in Omsk in July, headlined by Shlemenko vs. Emeev, and ACA 206 in Moscow in August, featuring Vakhayev vs. Aliakbari and Shaikhayev defending against B. Tumenov. Multiple other bouts were announced across both events.
Abdul-Aziz Abdulvakhabov has relinquished the ACA lightweight title, triggering an automatic elevation for Daud Shaikhayev, who transitions from interim champion to undisputed titleholder. ACA president Magomed Bibulatov made the announcement at a press conference held in Saint Petersburg.
Shaikhayev's first defense as undisputed champion is already booked. He is set to face B. Tumenov at ACA 206, scheduled for Moscow in August. That same event will also feature a matchup between Vakhayev and Aliakbari.
The promotion also announced ACA 204, set for Omsk in July, headlined by veteran Alexander Shlemenko against Emeev. Shlemenko, known as "Storm," carries one of the most decorated records in Russian MMA at 56 wins and 9 losses. The 42-year-old Russian fighter, who stands five-foot-eleven and trains out of his own Storm Shlemenko Fight Team, has built his reputation on heavy output, landing 4.36 significant strikes per minute at 60 percent accuracy, with virtually no reliance on the takedown game.
Why it matters
- Shaikhayev becomes ACA's undisputed lightweight champion without having to fight for it, setting up questions about the division's legitimacy that his defense against Tumenov will need to answer.
- Shlemenko headlining ACA 204 at 42 years old keeps one of Russian MMA's most recognizable names in a prominent position.
- The back-to-back events in July and August signal an active summer schedule for ACA across two major Russian cities.
