ACA (Absolute Championship Akhmat) President Magomed Bubulatov made candid admissions about doping in his promotion during an interview. He stated that there are more fighters on performance-enhancing drugs than clean athletes in the organization. Bubulatov noted that fighters who compete on short notice are usually clean because "they didn't have time to apply anything." He acknowledged that doping control is expensive and suggested Russian promotions should unite to address the issue, though he considers this unlikely. The president indicated that the league is still determining how to handle athletes who test positive, with one year suspensions being considered. ACA had given fighters six months to clear their systems and allowed certain approved substances.
The president of one of Russia's most prominent mixed martial arts organizations has openly admitted that the majority of fighters competing under his promotion's banner are using performance-enhancing drugs.
Magomed Bubulatov, president of Absolute Championship Akhmat, made the candid remarks during a recent interview, stating plainly that doped athletes outnumber clean ones within ACA. He added an unusual observation about short-notice replacements, noting that fighters who step in on little preparation time tend to be clean simply because they did not have the opportunity to use substances before competing.
Bubulatov acknowledged that the financial burden of comprehensive doping control is a significant obstacle, and he suggested that Russian promotions should collaborate to share those costs. He conceded, however, that such cooperation is unlikely to materialize. The comments amount to a rare moment of institutional candor on a subject that combat sports governing bodies typically handle with careful public messaging.
Why it matters
- The admission raises serious questions about competitive integrity inside ACA, one of the largest MMA organizations operating outside the UFC and Bellator umbrella.
- Bubulatov indicated the promotion is still working out its disciplinary framework, with one-year suspensions under consideration for positive tests.
- ACA had previously given fighters a six-month window to clear prohibited substances from their systems and permitted certain approved substances during that period, suggesting the organization is in an early stage of building a genuine anti-doping program.
- The call for unified testing across Russian promotions, even if dismissed as impractical by Bubulatov himself, signals growing awareness that the issue cannot be managed by individual organizations alone.
