Khadis Ibragimov is highlighted as the best Russian fighter at career resurrection based on the ratio of UFC performance to post-UFC performance. After leaving the UFC in 2020 with an 0-4 record over 13 months (falling from 8-0 to 8-4), the then-24-year-old seemed to have lost motivation. However, since 2020, Ibragimov has competed in 19 fights under various rulesets, compiling approximately a 13-3-3 record and increasing his purses 4-5 times compared to his UFC earnings, now reportedly earning 5-6 million rubles per fight. On April 12, he makes his ACA debut against undefeated heavyweight Daniil Matsola (7-0), who is 12 kg heavier than Ibragimov. The ACA 202 card also features Tony Johnson, who has defeated Derrick Lewis, Tim Sylvia, and Alexander Volkov, facing Kirill Kornilov.
Khadis Ibragimov steps into a new chapter of his career on April 12, making his ACA debut against undefeated heavyweight Daniil Matsola at ACA 202.
Ibragimov, 31, carries an official UFC record of 8-4 after a turbulent stretch inside the octagon that saw him drop four consecutive bouts between 2019 and 2020. The Russian heavyweight from Sambo Piter entered the UFC at 8-0 but lost all four appearances over a 13-month period, leaving the promotion before his 25th birthday. Since then, the six-foot-three, 198 cm reach orthodox striker has rebuilt aggressively, competing in roughly 19 fights across multiple rulesets and compiling an approximate 13-3-3 record outside the UFC. His earnings have reportedly grown four to five times his UFC-era purses, now said to reach five to six million rubles per bout. Inside the cage, Ibragimov generates 3.55 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy, with nearly one takedown attempt per 15 minutes.
His ACA debut opponent, Daniil Matsola, enters the fight undefeated at 7-0 and carries a reported 12-kilogram weight advantage over Ibragimov, a size discrepancy that adds a notable physical dimension to the matchup.
Also on the ACA 202 card, Tony Johnson takes on Kirill Kornilov. Johnson, listed at 11-3-0 and standing six-foot-one, has notable wins over Derrick Lewis, Tim Sylvia, and Alexander Volkov on his resume. He lands two significant strikes per minute at 53 percent accuracy and averages two takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Ibragimov's ACA debut is a high-profile test of whether his post-UFC resurgence translates against fresh, unbeaten opposition
- Matsola's 12 kg size edge makes this a legitimate proving ground rather than a safe promotional entry
- The Johnson-Kornilov bout adds heavyweight credibility to the card, with Johnson bringing wins over several UFC-caliber names
