Zaur Gadzhiev and/or members of his team were involved in an incident with Eduard Vartanyan before a fight. The altercation involved striking Vartanyan on the back of the head. Despite the incident, Gadzhiev will not be removed from the league. Magomed Bibulatov stated that he had a stern conversation with Gadzhiev about the behavior. The league appears to be handling the matter internally rather than imposing severe sanctions. Limited details are available about the specific circumstances or consequences of the altercation.
A pre-fight altercation involving Zaur Gadzhiev and his team against Eduard Vartanyan came to light on April 13, 2026, after reports surfaced that Vartanyan was struck on the back of the head before a scheduled bout.
Details surrounding the incident remain limited, but the league's response has been to address the matter internally. Magomed Bibulatov, known by his nickname "Chaborz," confirmed he spoke directly with Gadzhiev and described the conversation as stern. Despite the seriousness of the situation, Gadzhiev will not face removal from the organization.
Bibulatov himself is a veteran of the sport with a professional record of 14 wins and 2 losses at 37 years of age. The orthodox fighter stands five-foot-five with a 65-inch reach and competes at a high level, landing 3.6 significant strikes per minute at 51 percent accuracy while also averaging 2.85 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- A physical altercation before a fight raises questions about conduct standards within the league
- The decision not to remove Gadzhiev suggests the organization is prioritizing internal discipline over public sanctions
- Vartanyan was struck on the back of the head, a detail that underscores the severity of the incident regardless of the outcome
- How the league handles cases like this going forward could set a precedent for locker room and pre-fight conduct policies
