ACA president Magomed Bibulatov announced significant organizational changes at a press conference in Saint Petersburg. Abdul-Aziz Abdulvakhabov has vacated his lightweight championship, with interim champion Daud Shaikhaev now becoming the undisputed champion. ACA 204 in Omsk in July will feature Shlemenko vs. Emeev as the main event, with Shurkevich vs. Dudaev as co-main, plus Khabibullin vs. Grozin and Matmuratov vs. Sulumov. ACA 206 in Moscow in August will headline A. Vakhaev vs. Aliakbari and co-feature Shaikhaev vs. B. Tumenov, both for championships. Multiple title fights and regional events were officially confirmed.
ACA president Magomed Bibulatov used a press conference in Saint Petersburg to reveal a series of major organizational moves, including a title consolidation and a busy schedule of events running through August.
At the center of the announcement was the lightweight championship picture. Abdul-Aziz Abdulvakhabov has vacated the undisputed lightweight title, and interim champion Daud Shaikhaev has been elevated to full champion as a result. Shaikhaev will not hold the belt unchallenged for long, however, as he is already booked to defend against B. Tumenov at ACA 206 in Moscow in August, with the championship on the line.
That Moscow card will also feature A. Vakhaev taking on Amir Aliakbari in another title bout. Aliakbari, 42, represents Iran and trains out of AKA Thailand. Standing 191 cm tall, the heavyweight carries a professional record of 10-1-0 and brings considerable physical presence to any matchup.
Before Moscow, ACA 204 heads to Omsk in July with a headline bout that should draw significant attention. Alexander Shlemenko, known as "Storm," returns to the top of a card at 42 years old. The Russian veteran holds a remarkable 56-9-0 professional record and brings a striking output of 4.36 significant strikes per minute at 60 percent accuracy, making him one of the more technically efficient strikers on the regional circuit. He faces Emeev in the main event, with Shurkevich vs. Dudaev serving as co-main. Khabibullin vs. Grozin and Matmuratov vs. Sulumov round out the confirmed bouts for that card.
Why it matters
- The lightweight title picture is now settled, with Shaikhaev recognized as undisputed champion ahead of a mandatory defense
- Two championship bouts confirmed for ACA 206 in Moscow raise the stakes of the August card considerably
- Shlemenko headlining in Omsk keeps one of Russian MMA's longest-tenured fighters in a prominent role
