Eduard Vartanyan was attacked in the backstage area before his bout at ACA 202 in Saint Petersburg, allegedly by friends of Zaur Gadzhiev who struck him in the back of the head. The post notes that ACA has historically maintained strict media access policies in backstage areas and locker rooms, yet fighters not competing on the card have been allowed access with their entourages. The author criticizes this inconsistency, arguing that credentialed media who have covered ACA for years are often denied access while fighters and their groups can move freely. The incident highlights ongoing security and access control issues at ACA events, though the post acknowledges recent improvements in media access policies.
A disturbing security incident marred the backstage atmosphere at ACA 202 in Saint Petersburg on April 12, when featherweight contender Eduard Vartanyan was reportedly struck in the back of the head before his scheduled bout on the card. The alleged attackers are said to be associates of Zaur Gadzhiev, raising serious questions about who was permitted in restricted areas of the venue that evening.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism directed at ACA's inconsistent access control policies. For years, the promotion has enforced tight restrictions on credentialed media in backstage and locker room areas, often turning away journalists who have covered the organization extensively. Yet the same areas have routinely been accessible to fighters not competing on a given card, along with their full entourages. The contrast has long frustrated members of the MMA press, and Saturday's alleged assault makes that inconsistency far more consequential than a matter of professional inconvenience.
Why it matters
- A fighter was allegedly struck before competing, raising direct concerns about competitor safety and duty of care at ACA events
- The incident exposes a gap between ACA's stated access restrictions and how those policies are applied in practice
- If entourages of non-competing fighters can move freely backstage while credentialed media cannot, the current credentialing framework appears structured around preference rather than genuine security
- ACA has shown some willingness to improve media access in recent months, but this episode suggests broader operational reform is needed
While ACA has made recent steps toward improving its relationship with the media, the events at ACA 202 suggest that backstage security protocols remain inconsistent and inadequately enforced. Restricting press credentials while allowing unchecked entourage access creates precisely the kind of environment where an incident like this becomes possible.
