ACA president Magomed Bubulatov has candidly discussed doping issues within the promotion, stating that more fighters test positive for banned substances than test clean. Bubulatov revealed that fighters accepting bouts on short notice are typically the cleanest, suggesting they don't have time to use performance-enhancing drugs. The promotion implemented a six-month grace period for fighters to clean their systems and allowed certain recovery substances. Bubulatov acknowledged that comprehensive testing is expensive and expressed interest in collaborating with other Russian promotions, though he considers such cooperation unlikely. He is considering one-year suspensions for violators but has not finalized a policy.
Absolute Championship Berkut president Magomed Bubulatov has made a striking admission about the scale of doping inside his promotion, revealing that more fighters within ACA test positive for banned substances than test clean.
Speaking candidly on the subject, Bubulatov offered an unusual observation about short-notice fighters, noting that athletes who accept bouts on little preparation time tend to be among the cleanest in the promotion — his reasoning being that they simply do not have enough time to use performance-enhancing drugs before competing.
The ACA chief disclosed that the promotion had previously introduced a six-month grace period intended to allow fighters to clear prohibited substances from their systems. Certain recovery-related substances were also permitted during that window. Despite those measures, the positive test rate has apparently remained the dominant outcome across the roster.
Why it matters
- Bubulatov's admission raises serious questions about the integrity of competition inside one of Russia's premier MMA promotions.
- The promotion's own testing infrastructure is limited by cost, with Bubulatov acknowledging that comprehensive drug testing is an expensive undertaking.
- He floated the idea of one-year suspensions for violators but confirmed no formal policy has been finalized.
- Bubulatov expressed interest in coordinating anti-doping efforts with other Russian promotions, though he considers meaningful cooperation unlikely in practice.
The candid remarks put ACA in an uncomfortable position, as the promotion publicly acknowledges a systemic doping problem while its enforcement mechanisms remain underdeveloped and its deterrent framework is still being shaped. Whether Bubulatov's stated interest in stricter suspensions translates into formal policy will be a key indicator of how seriously the organization intends to address what its own president is describing as a majority-level issue among its competing athletes.
