ACA president Magomed Bibulatov provided candid insights into drug testing within the promotion, revealing that more fighters test positive for banned substances than those who are clean. Bibulatov noted that fighters accepting bouts on short notice are typically the cleanest because they "don't have time to apply anything." The promotion gave fighters six months to clear their systems and allowed certain therapeutic substances, but testing revealed widespread violations. Bibulatov expressed uncertainty about how to handle violators, mentioning a potential one-year suspension but acknowledging no final decision has been made. He emphasized that comprehensive drug testing is expensive and would be more feasible if all Russian promotions collaborated, though he considers this unlikely. The organization has compiled data on all fighters identifying who uses more or fewer banned substances.
The president of ACA (Absolute Championship Akhmat) has shed light on a widespread doping problem inside the promotion, revealing that the majority of its fighters test positive for banned substances rather than coming back clean.
Magomed Bibulatov made the candid admission in recent comments, describing a situation where clean athletes are effectively the exception. He noted that fighters who accept bouts on short notice tend to be among the least likely to test positive, offering a blunt explanation: they simply do not have enough time to use anything before competing.
The promotion had previously given its roster a six-month window to clear prohibited substances from their systems and permitted the use of certain therapeutic compounds during that period. Despite those allowances, testing returned results that Bibulatov described as revealing widespread violations across the organization.
Why it matters
- ACA is one of the largest MMA promotions operating in Russia, making its drug-testing practices relevant across the regional scene.
- Bibulatov acknowledged uncertainty over how to punish violators, floating a potential one-year suspension while stressing no formal policy has been finalized.
- The president argued that thorough, promotion-wide testing is financially prohibitive for a single organization and would only become practical if all Russian MMA promotions pooled resources — an outcome he considers unlikely.
- ACA has compiled internal data profiling fighters by their relative levels of banned-substance use, suggesting the organization has a clearer picture of the problem than it has publicly disclosed until now.
The admission raises significant questions about competitive integrity within one of the region's most prominent organizations, particularly given that no clear enforcement framework appears to be in place. Bibulatov's remarks suggest ACA is still weighing its options rather than moving toward any immediate, structured anti-doping program.
