Zaur Gadzhiev and/or his teammates struck Eduard Vartanyan on the back of the head before Vartanyan's fight. Despite this incident, Gadzhiev will not be removed from the league. Magomed Bubulatov stated that he had a strict conversation with Gadzhiev about the behavior. The post indicates this was an inappropriate pre-fight confrontation. No further details about potential disciplinary action beyond the conversation were provided in the limited information available.
A pre-fight altercation involving Zaur Gadzhiev came to light on April 13, 2026, after reports emerged that Gadzhiev and or members of his team struck Eduard Vartanyan on the back of the head ahead of Vartanyan's scheduled bout.
The incident drew a response from Magomed Bubulatov, who confirmed he had a direct and serious conversation with Gadzhiev regarding the conduct. Despite the severity of striking an opponent before competition, Bubulatov indicated that Gadzhiev would not face removal from the organization as a consequence.
Why it matters
- Striking a competing fighter before their bout raises clear concerns about fighter safety and professional conduct within the league
- The decision to retain Gadzhiev despite the incident may invite scrutiny over how organizations handle disciplinary situations involving their athletes
- No formal sanctions beyond a reported verbal reprimand have been disclosed, leaving the extent of accountability unclear
Beyond the conversation Bubulatov described, no additional details about formal disciplinary procedures or league-level review have been made available. The circumstances surrounding what prompted the confrontation also remain unexplained based on available information.
