ACA president Magomed Bibulatov gave a candid interview about doping control within the promotion. He stated that more fighters test positive for banned substances than test clean. According to Bibulatov, fighters who accept bouts on short notice are typically clean because they haven't had time to use performance-enhancing drugs. The promotion implemented a doping control program, giving fighters six months to clear their systems while allowing certain therapeutic substances. Bibulatov expressed uncertainty about how to handle violators and noted that comprehensive testing is expensive, suggesting Russian promotions should collaborate on anti-doping efforts though he considers this unlikely. He indicated he would prefer year-long suspensions for violators.
The president of ACA (Absolute Championship Akhmat) has made a striking admission about the state of doping inside his organization, revealing that more fighters within the promotion test positive for banned substances than test clean.
Magomed Bibulatov delivered the candid assessment in a recent interview, offering one of the more transparent public statements on performance-enhancing drug use to emerge from a major Russian MMA promotion. He noted that fighters who accept bouts on short notice tend to be clean, reasoning that the compressed timeline leaves no opportunity to use banned substances before competing.
Bibulatov confirmed that ACA has implemented a doping control program, giving fighters a six-month window to clear prohibited substances from their systems while permitting certain therapeutic use exemptions during that period. Despite the program's existence, he acknowledged genuine uncertainty about how to handle those who still return positive tests.
Why it matters
- ACA is one of the largest MMA promotions operating outside the UFC and PFL, making its anti-doping standards a benchmark for the broader Russian scene
- Bibulatov's admission raises questions about competitive fairness for fighters who compete clean against those who have used banned substances
- The financial burden of comprehensive testing remains a significant barrier, with Bibulatov suggesting Russian promotions should pool resources on anti-doping efforts — though he considers meaningful collaboration unlikely
- He indicated a preference for year-long suspensions as the appropriate penalty for confirmed violators, signaling a desire for stricter enforcement even as enforcement mechanisms remain undefined
The remarks are notable for their directness. Promoters rarely acknowledge that doping is the norm rather than the exception inside their organizations, and Bibulatov's willingness to state the problem plainly sets an unusual precedent. Whether that candor translates into a more rigorous and consistently enforced testing regime remains an open question.
