ACA President Magomed Bibulatov revealed that more fighters in the promotion are using performance-enhancing drugs than competing clean. In an interview, he stated that fighters accepting bouts on short notice are typically clean because they don't have time to use anything. The promotion implemented testing after giving fighters six months to clear their systems and allowing some approved substances. Bibulatov acknowledged that comprehensive drug testing is expensive and would require cooperation among all Russian promotions, which he considers unlikely. He indicated the promotion is considering one-year suspensions for violators but has not finalized a policy.
Magomed Bibulatov, the president of Russian MMA promotion ACA, has publicly acknowledged that a majority of fighters on the roster are using performance-enhancing drugs, making a candid admission that is rare among combat sports executives.
Speaking in an interview, Bibulatov stated that more athletes within the organization are competing while using PEDs than those competing clean. He offered one telling observation about short-notice fighters: those who accept bouts on quick turnarounds tend to be clean simply because they do not have enough time to use anything before competing.
The promotion has taken some steps toward addressing the issue. ACA implemented drug testing after first giving fighters a six-month window to clear any prohibited substances from their systems and allowing certain approved substances during that period. The graduated approach suggests the organization was aware of how widespread the problem was before formal testing began.
Bibulatov was candid about the structural barriers to meaningful enforcement. He noted that comprehensive testing is expensive and would only be effective if all Russian MMA promotions coordinated their efforts — something he considers unlikely to happen. Without a unified framework, fighters suspended by one organization could simply compete elsewhere.
Why it matters
- The admission places ACA among the most openly candid combat sports organizations regarding PED prevalence, raising questions about competitive integrity across Russian MMA.
- The reliance on inter-promotional cooperation highlights a systemic gap that individual promotions cannot close on their own.
- ACA is reportedly weighing one-year suspensions for violators, but no formal policy has been finalized, leaving enforcement uncertain in the near term.
