Eduard Vartanyan was allegedly attacked in the backstage area before his fight with Uzair at ACA 202 in St. Petersburg. According to reports, friends of Zaur Gadzhiev struck Vartanyan in the back of the head. The incident highlights ongoing issues with access control at ACA events. Media members have historically been strictly limited in their backstage access, while fighters not competing on the card and their entourages have been allowed in those areas. The situation has reportedly improved recently, though it remains imperfect.
Reports emerging from St. Petersburg suggest Eduard Vartanyan was attacked backstage before his scheduled bout at ACA 202, though the incident has not been officially confirmed.
According to unverified accounts circulating after the event, individuals connected to fighter Zaur Gadzhiev allegedly struck Vartanyan in the back of the head in the backstage area prior to his fight against an opponent named Uzair. The circumstances surrounding the altercation remain unclear, and no official statement from ACA has been issued at the time of reporting.
Why it matters
- The alleged incident raises serious questions about security protocols at ACA events
- Reports indicate fighters not competing on a given card, along with their entourages, have historically been permitted in backstage areas where competing athletes are present
- Media personnel, by contrast, have faced strict limitations on backstage access at ACA shows, pointing to an inconsistency in how access is managed
- Sources suggest conditions have improved in recent periods, though the reported incident indicates significant gaps remain
The situation draws attention to a long-standing structural issue within ACA's event operations. Allowing large entourages and non-competing fighters into restricted areas creates an environment where confrontations between rival camps can occur unchecked. Backstage altercations involving athletes preparing to compete carry obvious safety implications, and the promotion may face pressure to revisit its credentialing and access policies in the wake of these reports.
Because this story is based on unconfirmed accounts, details may change as more information becomes available.
