ACA president Magomed Bibulatov candidly discussed the state of drug testing in his organization, revealing that more fighters use banned substances than compete clean. He stated that fighters who take bouts on short notice are typically clean because they "didn't have time to use anything." Bibulatov explained that ACA gave fighters six months to clean their systems and allowed certain therapeutic substances, but testing revealed widespread violations. He noted that drug testing is expensive and suggested Russian promotions should unite to address the issue, though he considers this unlikely. The organization is currently deciding whether to suspend violators for one year or pursue alternative measures, with plans for their medical department head to make a public statement soon.
The president of ACA (Absolute Championship Akhmat) has made a striking admission about the scale of performance-enhancing drug use within his organization, acknowledging that the majority of fighters on the roster are competing with banned substances in their systems.
Magomed Bibulatov spoke candidly about the challenge of drug testing in Russian MMA, revealing that clean athletes are actually the minority. He offered a telling observation about short-notice fighters, noting that those who accept bouts on short notice tend to be clean simply because they did not have enough time to use anything before the fight.
Bibulatov said ACA gave fighters a six-month window to clear their systems and permitted certain therapeutic substances during that period, but testing still uncovered widespread violations across the roster. He acknowledged that comprehensive drug testing carries a significant financial burden and suggested that Russian promotions should consider pooling resources to tackle the problem collectively — though he expressed doubt that such cooperation would materialise.
Why it matters
- The admission from a sitting promotion president represents an unusually blunt acknowledgment of systemic PED use in regional MMA
- ACA is one of the largest MMA organisations outside the UFC and Bellator, making the scope of the problem significant for the sport globally
- The organisation has not yet settled on a disciplinary framework, with a one-year suspension for violators among the options under consideration
- A public statement from ACA's medical department head is expected soon, which may bring more detail on testing protocols and penalties
The organisation is currently weighing whether to issue one-year bans to those who tested positive or pursue alternative disciplinary measures. No formal policy has been announced, and the outcome of internal deliberations remains pending ahead of the planned medical department statement.
