ACA bantamweight grand prix champion Mehdi Baidulaev (10-0) moves up to featherweight for his next outing, taking on undefeated Gadjimurad Aliev (1-0) on July 17 at ACA 205 in Almaty.
ACA bantamweight grand prix champion Mehdi Baidulaev is set to move up a weight class when he faces unbeaten prospect Gadjimurad Aliev at featherweight on July 17 at ACA 205 in Almaty.
Baidulaev enters the bout carrying a perfect 10-0 professional record and the distinction of being the reigning ACA bantamweight grand prix champion. The move to featherweight marks a notable shift in direction for a fighter who has yet to taste defeat in his career, and it represents a meaningful test of how his skill set translates against larger opponents in a new division.
Aliev, though largely untested at just 1-0 as a professional, arrives with the advantage of competing at his natural weight class. His unbeaten record, while brief, means he steps into this matchup without the pressure of a loss on his resume.
Why it matters
- Baidulaev's featherweight debut adds intrigue to his trajectory following grand prix gold at bantamweight
- A win for Aliev over a decorated champion would immediately elevate his profile within ACA's featherweight division
- The Almaty card gains a compelling stylistic question: whether a proven champion can carry his dominance across weight classes
