ACA (Absolute Championship Akhmat) President Magomed Bibulatov has made candid admissions about performance-enhancing drug use within his promotion. In an interview, Bibulatov stated that more fighters in ACA use banned substances than compete clean. He noted that fighters accepting bouts on short notice are typically the cleanest, suggesting they don't have time to use anything. The promotion implemented drug testing after giving fighters six months to clear their systems, and allowed some therapeutic substances. Bibulatov explained that while they have data on which fighters use more or fewer banned substances, publishing the list raises ethical questions. He expressed interest in suspending violators for one year but acknowledged that comprehensive testing is expensive and would require collaboration across all Russian promotions, which he considers unlikely. The ACA medical department official responsible for testing is expected to make a statement soon.
The president of one of Russia's largest mixed martial arts promotions has acknowledged that the majority of fighters competing under his banner use performance-enhancing drugs, in remarks that amount to some of the most candid public admissions from a major promotion executive in recent memory.
Magomed Bibulatov, president of Absolute Championship Akhmat, made the statements in an interview, saying outright that more fighters within ACA use banned substances than compete clean. He offered one telling observation about short-notice replacements: athletes who accept fights on little preparation time tend to be the cleanest competitors on the roster, simply because they have no opportunity to use anything before stepping in.
Bibulatov revealed that the promotion introduced drug testing only after granting fighters a six-month window to clear their systems, and that certain therapeutic substances were permitted alongside the new testing framework. He added that ACA holds internal data identifying which fighters use more or fewer banned substances but declined to publish that information, citing ethical concerns around disclosure.
Why it matters
- The admission raises serious questions about the integrity of competition across ACA's roster and the sport's regulatory environment in Russia more broadly.
- Bibulatov expressed interest in implementing one-year suspensions for violations but acknowledged that meaningful enforcement would require coordinated testing across all Russian promotions, which he considers an unlikely outcome.
- The cost of comprehensive testing was cited as a significant barrier, suggesting financial constraints are shaping anti-doping policy as much as any commitment to clean sport.
Bibulatov indicated that an official from ACA's medical department who oversees testing is expected to make a public statement on the matter in the near future.
