Zaur Gadzhiev and/or members of his team physically confronted Eduard Vartanyan before his fight, striking him on the back of the head. Despite this incident, Gadzhiev will not be removed from the ACA promotion. Magomed Bibulatov stated that he had a stern conversation with Gadzhiev about the altercation. The post indicates that disciplinary action will be limited to internal discussions rather than termination or suspension.
A physical altercation involving Zaur Gadzhiev and Eduard Vartanyan made headlines on April 13, 2026, after Gadzhiev or members of his team struck Vartanyan on the back of the head in the lead-up to a fight. Despite the serious nature of the incident, Gadzhiev will remain with the ACA promotion and faces no suspension or termination.
Magomed Bibulatov, known in MMA circles by his nickname Chaborz, addressed the situation directly. The 37-year-old orthodox fighter carries a professional record of 14-2 and competes at 165 cm tall with a matching 65-inch reach. A disciplined technician who lands 3.6 significant strikes per minute at 51 percent accuracy, Bibulatov also contributes on the ground with nearly three takedowns per 15 minutes. He confirmed that he held a stern conversation with Gadzhiev following the altercation but indicated that internal dialogue would be the extent of the disciplinary response.
Why it matters
- A fighter striking an opponent before a scheduled bout raises clear concerns about fighter safety and professional conduct standards within ACA.
- The decision not to suspend or release Gadzhiev sets a precedent for how the promotion handles pre-fight confrontations that cross into physical aggression.
- Bibulatov's involvement suggests the matter was escalated to a prominent figure within the organization, yet the outcome stops well short of formal disciplinary action.
