Khadis Ibragimov will make his ACA debut on April 12 against undefeated heavyweight Daniil Matsola (7-0). The analysis highlights Ibragimov's remarkable career revival after going 0-4 in the UFC in 2020, having since compiled approximately a 13-3-3 record across various promotions. Ibragimov claims his purses have increased four to five times compared to his UFC earnings, reportedly now earning 5-6 million rubles per fight. The ACA 202 card also features Tony Johnson, who has previously defeated Derrick Lewis, Tim Sylvia, and Alexander Volkov, facing Kirill Kornilov.
Khadis Ibragimov will make his Absolute Championship Akhmat debut on April 12 when he squares off against undefeated heavyweight Daniil Matsola at ACA 202.
Ibragimov's career trajectory is one of the more unusual in recent heavyweight history. After going 0-4 inside the UFC in 2020, the fighter has rebuilt his record to approximately 13-3-3 across various regional promotions — a remarkable turnaround that has also paid off financially. Ibragimov has stated that his fight purses are now four to five times higher than what he earned during his UFC tenure, reportedly bringing in five to six million rubles per bout.
Standing across from him will be Matsola, who enters the contest with a perfect 7-0 professional record. The unbeaten heavyweight represents a credible test for Ibragimov as he opens his account with ACA.
The card also features Tony Johnson in a separate heavyweight contest against Kirill Kornilov. Johnson carries an 11-3 professional record and brings notable scalps to his résumé, including victories over Derrick Lewis, Tim Sylvia, and Alexander Volkov. Sylvia, a former UFC heavyweight champion, holds a 31-10 career record, while Volkov — currently ranked number one in the UFC heavyweight division at 37 years old — sits at 40-11 and is regarded as one of the elite fighters in the weight class. Johnson's striking accuracy of 53 percent is complemented by a takedown rate of two per fifteen minutes, giving him a versatile toolkit heading into the Kornilov fight.
Why it matters
- Ibragimov's ACA debut is a continuation of one of the more compelling post-UFC career revivals in the heavyweight division.
- Matsola's undefeated status means a win for either fighter carries real divisional weight within ACA's heavyweight picture.
- Johnson's presence adds star power to the card, given his wins over fighters with legitimate UFC pedigree at heavyweight.
