Zaur Gadzhiev and/or his teammates allegedly jumped Eduard Vartanyan before his fight at ACA 202, striking him on the back of the head. Despite the incident, Gadzhiev will not be removed from the promotion according to the report. ACA fighter Magomed Bibulatov stated that he had a strict conversation with Gadzhiev about the incident. The backstage altercation occurred prior to Vartanyan's scheduled bout on the card. The post indicates that internal disciplinary action was limited to a verbal reprimand rather than contract termination or suspension.
A backstage altercation marred the buildup to ACA 202 after reports emerged that Zaur Gadzhiev, along with members of his team, allegedly struck Eduard Vartanyan on the back of the head before Vartanyan's scheduled bout on the card. The incident took place behind the scenes prior to the fight, raising immediate questions about conduct and safety within the promotion.
ACA fighter Magomed Bibulatov, who competes under the nickname "Chaborz" and carries a professional record of 14 wins and 2 losses, confirmed he addressed the matter directly. The 37-year-old orthodox striker, who stands five-foot-five with a 65-inch reach, stated that he held a strict conversation with Gadzhiev following the alleged attack. Bibulatov lands 3.6 significant strikes per minute at a 51 percent striking accuracy, and also contributes on the ground with 2.85 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him one of the more well-rounded presences in the ACA roster.
Despite the seriousness of the alleged pre-fight assault, the promotion has chosen not to remove Gadzhiev. According to the report, internal disciplinary action went no further than a verbal reprimand, stopping short of a suspension or contract termination.
Why it matters
- An alleged backstage physical altercation before a scheduled bout raises significant fighter safety concerns within ACA.
- The decision to retain Gadzhiev despite the reported incident suggests the promotion handled the matter entirely in-house.
- Bibulatov's public acknowledgment of a "strict conversation" indicates the situation drew attention from figures within the ACA fighter community, not just management.
- The limited disciplinary response may invite scrutiny over how ACA enforces conduct standards for athletes under contract.
