Zaur Gadzhiev and/or his teammates allegedly attacked Eduard Vartanyan before his fight at an ACA event, striking him on the back of the head. The incident reportedly occurred in the backstage area. Despite the altercation, Gadzhiev will not be expelled from the league. ACA official Magomed Bibulatov stated that he had a stern conversation with Gadzhiev about the incident. The post indicates this is not an isolated incident involving Gadzhiev and his team. No further disciplinary action beyond the verbal reprimand appears planned.
A backstage altercation at an ACA event has drawn attention after Zaur Gadzhiev and reportedly members of his team allegedly struck Eduard Vartanyan on the back of the head before Vartanyan's scheduled fight, with the incident said to have taken place in the backstage area of the venue.
ACA official Magomed Bibulatov, who competes under the nickname "Chaborz" and carries a professional record of 14 wins and 2 losses, addressed the situation directly. The 37-year-old orthodox fighter, who stands five-foot-five with a 65-inch reach, has been a presence within the ACA organization and confirmed he spoke sternly with Gadzhiev following the alleged attack. Bibulatov made clear that despite the severity of the incident, Gadzhiev will not face expulsion from the league, with a verbal reprimand serving as the only form of disciplinary action taken.
The report notes this is not an isolated incident involving Gadzhiev and his team, suggesting a pattern of conduct that has raised concerns within the promotion's backstage environment.
Why it matters
- An alleged pre-fight attack on a competing fighter raises serious questions about backstage security and fighter safety at ACA events.
- The decision to limit consequences to a verbal warning may draw criticism regarding the promotion's standards for athlete conduct.
- If the behavior is part of a broader pattern, as indicated, pressure may mount on ACA leadership to implement more formal disciplinary measures.
