Khadis Ibragimov is highlighted as the best Russian fighter at career rehabilitation after leaving the UFC with an 0-4 record in 2020. Since then, he has compiled approximately 13-3-3 across 19 fights under various rulesets and reportedly increased his purse four to five times compared to his UFC earnings, now making 5-6 million rubles per fight. Ibragimov will make his ACA debut on April 12 against undefeated heavyweight Daniil Matsola, who is 7-0 but 12 kg lighter. The card also features former UFC heavyweight Tony Johnson, who has beaten Derrick Lewis, Tim Sylvia, and Alexander Volkov, facing Kirill Kornilov.
Khadis Ibragimov will make his Absolute Championship Akhmat debut on April 12, stepping in against undefeated heavyweight Daniil Matsola in what shapes up as a significant homecoming bout for the Russian veteran.
Ibragimov left the UFC in 2020 after going winless in four outings, but his career since has told a very different story. Across 19 fights under various rulesets, he has compiled a record of approximately 13-3-3, establishing himself as one of the more productive heavyweights operating outside the major American promotions. Reports indicate he has grown his per-fight earnings to between five and six million rubles, representing a four-to-fivefold increase on what he earned inside the UFC octagon.
His ACA debut opponent, Daniil Matsola, arrives undefeated at 7-0, though he enters the fight giving away roughly 12 kilograms to Ibragimov on the scales — a size disadvantage that will likely shape how the contest unfolds.
Also featured on the April 12 card is Tony Johnson, a six-foot-one heavyweight who carries an 11-3-0 professional record. Johnson's resume includes notable victories over Derrick Lewis, Tim Sylvia — a decorated former UFC heavyweight champion standing six-foot-eight with an 80-inch reach — and Alexander Volkov, currently ranked first in the UFC heavyweight division at 40-11-0. Johnson lands two significant strikes per minute at 53 percent accuracy and averages two takedowns per 15 minutes, suggesting a well-rounded game with a meaningful grappling component. He opposes Kirill Kornilov on the same card.
Why it matters
- Ibragimov's ACA debut tests whether his post-UFC renaissance can translate to one of Europe's most prominent promotions
- Matsola's undefeated record is on the line against a significantly larger and more experienced opponent
- Johnson's presence adds international credibility to the card, given his wins over fighters with established UFC pedigrees
