Friends of Zaur Gadzhiev attacked Eduard Vartanyan backstage at ACA 202

Eduard Vartanyan was attacked backstage before his fight at ACA 202 in Saint Petersburg by friends of Zaur Gadzhiev, who struck him on the back of the head. The incident raises questions about security protocols and access control in the backstage areas of ACA events. Media members have historically faced strict restrictions on accessing locker room and backstage areas at ACA events, while fighters not competing on the card have been allowed more freedom. The reporter notes that policies have improved recently but criticizes allowing fighters outside the active card to roam backstage while legitimate media are restricted. The attack occurred in an area where press should have better access than non-competing fighters and their entourages.