Zaur Gadzhiev and/or his teammates physically attacked Eduard Vartanyan in the backstage area before Vartanyan's fight, striking him on the back of the head. Despite the incident, Gadzhiev will not be removed from the promotion. Magomed Bibulatov stated that he had a strict conversation with Gadzhiev about the incident. The attack occurred prior to Vartanyan's scheduled bout, though the post does not detail how the incident affected Vartanyan's performance or whether any other disciplinary measures were taken beyond the conversation.
A backstage altercation marred an ACA event on April 13, 2026, when fighter Zaur Gadzhiev and members of his team allegedly attacked Eduard Vartanyan in the backstage area ahead of Vartanyan's scheduled bout, striking him on the back of the head.
According to the report, the incident took place before Vartanyan entered competition, though it remains unclear how, or whether, the attack affected his performance. Despite the severity of the situation, Gadzhiev was not removed from the promotion. ACA official Magomed Bibulatov — known by the nickname "Chaborz," a 37-year-old veteran who carries a professional record of 14 wins and 2 losses — confirmed that he personally held a strict conversation with Gadzhiev in response to the incident. No additional disciplinary measures have been publicly detailed beyond that exchange.
Why it matters
- A pre-fight physical attack on a competitor raises serious questions about fighter safety and event security protocols within ACA.
- The decision not to remove Gadzhiev from the promotion despite the confirmed incident invites scrutiny of how the organization handles internal misconduct.
- The lack of detail around any consequences beyond a verbal reprimand leaves the matter unresolved publicly, and further action — or the absence of it — could set a precedent within the promotion.
- Vartanyan's condition and whether he was cleared to compete following the attack have not been formally addressed.
