ACA President Magomed Bubulatov candidly discussed drug testing in the promotion, revealing that more fighters use banned substances than compete clean. He stated that fighters accepting bouts on short notice are typically clean because they haven't had time to use performance enhancers. Bubulatov explained that comprehensive drug testing is expensive and would be more feasible if Russian promotions united their efforts, though he considers that unlikely. The promotion began testing after giving fighters six months to clear banned substances from their systems while allowing some therapeutic medications. ACA has data on which fighters use more or fewer banned substances but is undecided about publicly releasing names or implementing punishments, though Bubulatov previously suggested one-year suspensions.
The president of Absolute Championship Akhmat has made a striking admission about the scale of performance-enhancing drug use inside his own promotion, stating openly that the majority of fighters on the roster are not competing clean.
Magomed Bubulatov spoke candidly on the subject, revealing that ACA's own internal data shows more athletes using banned substances than those who are not. He offered one telling indicator of who tends to be clean: fighters who accept bouts on short notice. His reasoning was straightforward — those competitors simply have not had enough time to use performance enhancers before stepping in on a replacement booking.
Bubulatov acknowledged that comprehensive, promotion-wide drug testing carries significant costs and suggested the burden would be more manageable if Russian MMA promotions pooled their resources for a unified testing program. He described that kind of cooperation as unlikely, however, leaving ACA to navigate the issue largely on its own.
The promotion did not arrive at testing overnight. Bubulatov explained that ACA gave fighters a six-month window to clear prohibited substances from their systems before testing began, and made allowances for certain therapeutic medications during that period.
Why it matters
- ACA holds a significant roster of fighters, meaning the admission has broad implications for competitive integrity across the promotion
- Bubulatov confirmed the organization holds data identifying which fighters use more or fewer banned substances, but has not decided whether to release names publicly
- The question of punishment remains unresolved, though Bubulatov has previously floated one-year suspensions as a potential consequence
- The financial and logistical barriers to testing highlight a wider structural challenge facing regional MMA organizations operating without the resources of larger global promotions
