Zaur Gadzhiev and/or his teammates physically confronted Eduard Vartanyan before a fight, slapping him on the back of the head. Despite the incident, Gadzhiev will not be expelled from the league. Magomed Bibulatov stated that he had a stern conversation with Gadzhiev about the incident. The altercation represents a breach of pre-fight conduct that could have resulted in more serious disciplinary action.
A pre-fight altercation involving Zaur Gadzhiev and Eduard Vartanyan drew disciplinary attention after Gadzhiev and/or members of his team physically confronted Vartanyan, slapping him on the back of the head before their scheduled bout.
Despite the seriousness of the incident, Gadzhiev will not be expelled from the league. Magomed Bibulatov, known by his nickname Chaborz, confirmed that he personally held a stern conversation with Gadzhiev following the breach of pre-fight conduct. The 37-year-old carries a professional record of 14-2-0 and competes as an orthodox fighter. Standing five-foot-five with a 65-inch reach, Bibulatov is an accomplished grappler averaging 2.85 takedowns per 15 minutes, and his striking output of 3.6 significant strikes per minute at 51 percent accuracy reflects a well-rounded competitive profile that lends weight to his role addressing the incident.
Why it matters
- The confrontation represents a clear violation of pre-fight conduct standards that could have led to removal from the league
- Gadzhiev avoiding expulsion suggests disciplinary action was handled internally, with Bibulatov's intervention serving as the formal response
- The incident raises questions about team conduct protocols and how leagues manage altercations that occur before competition begins
