Zaur Gadzhiev and/or his teammates allegedly struck Eduard Vartanyan in the back of the head before Vartanyan's fight at an ACA event. Despite the incident, Gadzhiev will not be released from the league. Magomed Bibulatov stated that he had a stern conversation with Gadzhiev about the incident. The altercation adds to concerns about backstage conduct at the promotion's events.
A backstage altercation at a recent ACA event has drawn attention after Zaur Gadzhiev and/or members of his team allegedly struck Eduard Vartanyan in the back of the head before Vartanyan was set to compete.
The incident has since been addressed by promotion officials, with ACA fighter Magomed Bibulatov — known as "Chaborz" — confirming that he held a serious conversation with Gadzhiev regarding his conduct. Despite the severity of the alleged act, Gadzhiev will not be released from the organization.
Bibulatov, a 37-year-old orthodox fighter standing five-foot-five with a 65-inch reach, carries a 14-2 professional record and is one of the more recognizable names on the ACA roster. His involvement in addressing the situation suggests the promotion is handling the matter internally through senior figures rather than escalating to formal disciplinary action.
Why it matters
- A fighter allegedly being struck before a bout raises immediate questions about athlete safety and backstage security protocols at ACA events.
- The decision not to release Gadzhiev despite the incident may draw criticism and adds to broader concerns about conduct standards within the promotion.
- Bibulatov's role in mediating the situation points to fighters carrying influence in how internal disputes are managed at ACA.
The episode adds to a pattern of concerns surrounding backstage behavior at ACA events, and the promotion's response — retaining Gadzhiev while relying on a peer conversation as corrective action — is likely to invite further scrutiny from fighters and observers alike.
