Zaur Gadzhiev and/or his teammates allegedly struck Eduard Vartanyan on the back of the head before Vartanyan's fight at an ACA event. Despite the incident, Gadzhiev will not be removed from the promotion. Magomed Bibulatov stated that he had a stern conversation with Gadzhiev about the matter. The post indicates disciplinary action was limited to a verbal reprimand. This incident adds to concerns about fighter conduct and backstage security at ACA events.
Backstage tensions at a recent ACA event spilled into a serious conduct matter after Zaur Gadzhiev and members of his team allegedly struck Eduard Vartanyan in the back of the head prior to Vartanyan's scheduled bout. The incident has drawn scrutiny over fighter conduct and backstage security standards within the organization.
ACA veteran Magomed Bibulatov, known as "Chaborz," confirmed that he personally addressed the situation with Gadzhiev directly. The 37-year-old fighter, who carries a 14-2 professional record and competes at a height of five-foot-five with a 65-inch reach, stated that the conversation was a stern one. Despite the seriousness of the alleged act, the disciplinary response appears to have stopped at a verbal reprimand, with Gadzhiev confirmed to remain on the ACA roster.
Why it matters
- A physical confrontation backstage before a fight raises immediate safety concerns for competing athletes
- Limiting discipline to a verbal warning may invite criticism that the promotion underreacted to a potentially harmful incident
- The episode puts pressure on ACA matchmakers and event staff to tighten access and oversight in fighter preparation areas
- Vartanyan's ability to compete effectively after being struck before his bout adds a competitive fairness dimension to the controversy
Bibulatov's public acknowledgment of the incident, and his role in handling it internally, positions him as a senior voice within the ACA locker room. His record of 14 wins against 2 losses, combined with a striking accuracy of 51 percent and 2.85 takedowns per 15 minutes, reflects a well-rounded competitor whose standing in the promotion lends weight to his involvement in the matter.
The decision not to remove Gadzhiev from the promotion, despite the allegations, leaves questions about what conduct standards ACA enforces and how the organization intends to prevent similar incidents going forward.
