ACA bantamweight Grand Prix champion Mekhdi Baidulaev (10-0 in ACA) will move up to featherweight for his return bout on July 17. He will face undefeated Gadjimurad Aliev (1-0 in ACA) at ACA 205 in Almaty.
Mekhdi Baidulaev is set to make his return to the cage on July 17, stepping up in weight to face undefeated prospect Gadjimurad Aliev at ACA 205 in Almaty. The bout was announced on June 23 and will see the ACA bantamweight Grand Prix champion compete at featherweight for the first time.
Baidulaev enters the fight with a perfect ten-and-zero record inside the ACA, having claimed the organization's bantamweight Grand Prix title along the way. His decision to move up a division adds an extra layer of intrigue to what is already a notable return booking for one of ACA's standout champions.
Aliev, meanwhile, brings an unblemished professional record into the matchup, going one-and-zero in ACA competition. Though his resume is short, his undefeated status makes him a credible test for a champion crossing into new divisional territory.
Why it matters
- Baidulaev is testing himself at featherweight after dominating the bantamweight Grand Prix, raising questions about his long-term divisional home.
- Aliev's undefeated record means a win here would immediately elevate his profile within the ACA featherweight ranks.
- The fight takes place in Almaty, giving ACA 205 a high-profile centerpiece matchup to anchor the card.
