Eduard Vartanyan was reportedly attacked in the backstage area before his fight at ACA 202 in St. Petersburg, struck in the back of the head by friends of Zaur Gadzhiev. The incident raises questions about ACA's security protocols, as the promotion has historically restricted media access to locker rooms and backstage areas while apparently allowing fighters not competing on the card and their associates to roam freely. The post criticizes this inconsistency, noting that credible journalists who have covered ACA for years are denied access while individuals who can initiate physical altercations are permitted backstage. The author acknowledges recent improvements in media access policies but says the situation is still not ideal.
A disturbing incident reportedly unfolded backstage at ACA 202 in St. Petersburg, where fighter Eduard Vartanyan was allegedly struck in the back of the head by associates of Zaur Gadzhiev before he was scheduled to compete on the card.
The attack, which reportedly took place in the backstage area of the event, has drawn sharp criticism directed at ACA's handling of access and security at its events. According to the report, the individuals involved were connected to Gadzhiev, a fighter not competing at ACA 202, yet they were apparently permitted to move freely through restricted areas of the venue.
Why it matters
- A fighter was allegedly physically assaulted before a scheduled bout, raising immediate concerns about competitor safety.
- ACA has historically restricted credentialed media and journalists from accessing backstage and locker room areas, yet the incident suggests non-competing personnel and their associates face fewer barriers.
- The inconsistency between media access policy and apparent security gaps points to a broader organizational problem within the promotion's event management.
- While recent improvements to ACA's media access policies have been acknowledged, critics say the current situation remains far from satisfactory.
The episode highlights a troubling contradiction at the heart of ACA's backstage operations. Journalists who have covered the promotion for years are routinely denied entry to areas that, according to this report, were accessible enough for individuals to carry out a physical assault on a competing athlete. Ensuring the safety of fighters in the hours before they perform is a fundamental obligation for any combat sports promotion, and this incident suggests ACA's protocols in that area require serious review.
