Eduard Vartanyan attacked backstage before ACA 202 bout

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 highlights ongoing access control issues at ACA events. While the promotion has historically maintained strict restrictions on media presence in locker rooms and backstage areas, fighters not competing on the card and their associates have been allowed access. The author notes that media credential enforcement has improved recently, particularly since the last event in Kazakhstan, though challenges remain. The incident raises questions about security protocols for fighters versus media personnel at promotional events.