Eduard Vartanyan was reportedly attacked in the backstage area before his fight at ACA 202 in St. Petersburg. Friends of Zaur Gadzhiev allegedly struck Vartanyan in the back of the head. The post criticizes ACA's inconsistent media access policies, noting that journalists are typically restricted from backstage and locker room areas while fighters not competing on the card and their entourage can move freely. The author notes that while media access has improved recently, the incident highlights security concerns when non-competing fighters and their associates have backstage access.
A troubling incident reportedly unfolded backstage at ACA 202 in St. Petersburg on April 12, with Eduard Vartanyan allegedly struck in the back of the head by associates of fellow fighter Zaur Gadzhiev before Vartanyan was due to compete on the card.
According to the report, the attack took place in the backstage area of the event, with individuals connected to Gadzhiev allegedly responsible for the assault on Vartanyan ahead of his scheduled bout. The circumstances surrounding the altercation and any potential provocation were not detailed in the account.
The incident has drawn attention beyond the alleged attack itself, with criticism directed at ACA's backstage access policies. The report notes a notable inconsistency in how the promotion manages access to restricted areas: credentialed journalists are routinely kept out of backstage and locker room spaces, while fighters not competing on a given card and members of their entourages are permitted to move freely through those same areas.
Why it matters
- A fighter reportedly being struck before competing raises immediate questions about fighter safety and duty of care within ACA events
- The promotion's access policies create a situation where media are excluded but potentially large, unvetted entourages are not, leaving athletes vulnerable in what should be a controlled environment
- The report acknowledges that ACA has made strides in improving media access recently, but argues this incident underscores that improved press credentials mean little if basic security protocols are not applied consistently to all non-essential personnel
The account calls on ACA to re-examine who is granted access to fighter preparation areas, particularly when rivalries or tensions between camps exist on the same event roster.
