Khadis Ibragimov, who left UFC in 2020 with an 0-4 record over 13 months, has since rebounded with approximately 13-3-3 across 19 fights under various rulesets. He reports his fight purses have increased 4-5 times compared to his UFC earnings, now earning an estimated 5-6 million rubles per bout. Ibragimov makes his ACA debut on April 12 against undefeated heavyweight Daniil Matsola (7-0), who is 12 kg lighter. The same ACA 202 card features Kirill Kornilov facing Tony Johnson, who has defeated Derrick Lewis, Tim Sylvia, and Alexander Volkov in his career.
Khadis Ibragimov makes his Absolute Championship Akhmat debut on April 12 when he faces undefeated heavyweight Daniil Matsola at ACA 202, a card that also features a heavyweight clash between Kirill Kornilov and Tony Johnson.
Ibragimov, 31, is a Russian heavyweight out of Sambo Piter who carries an 8-4-0 record according to the AgentMMA database. The six-foot-three orthodox fighter sports a 78-inch reach and is one of the more active strikers in the division, landing 3.55 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy. He also contributes on the ground, averaging nearly one takedown per 15 minutes. Ibragimov spent 13 months in the UFC through 2020, going 0-4, but has rebuilt his career across multiple rulesets in the years since, reportedly earning four to five times his previous UFC purses — an estimated five to six million rubles per fight.
His opponent, Daniil Matsola, enters the bout with a perfect 7-0 record and, according to the summary, carries a 12-kilogram weight disadvantage against Ibragimov, making the size mismatch a notable factor in the matchup.
Why it matters
- Ibragimov's ACA debut is a high-profile step in a post-UFC rebuilding arc that has seen him accumulate roughly 19 fights under various rulesets.
- Matsola's unbeaten record is on the line against a far more experienced opponent with notable promotional pedigree.
- The co-main pairing of Kornilov and Tony Johnson adds further heavyweight weight to the card; Johnson holds a 11-3-0 record and has victories over notable names including Derrick Lewis, Tim Sylvia, and Alexander Volkov across his career.
- The size differential between Ibragimov and Matsola sets up a classic power-versus-mobility dynamic in the heavyweight division.
