At the pre-ACA press conference face-off, ACA commentator and host Roman Sofronov asked champion Zhoziel Silva what he saw in Renat's eyes, then immediately congratulated Ondar on a victory in a fight that had not yet occurred. The gaffe drew sharp criticism for apparent bias ahead of the bantamweight title bout between Silva and Ondar.
An awkward moment at an ACA pre-fight press conference has drawn criticism toward the promotion's own broadcast team after a commentator appeared to show clear bias ahead of a bantamweight title bout.
During the face-off event, ACA host and commentator Roman Sofronov directed a question at reigning bantamweight champion Zhoziel Silva, asking what he saw when he looked into challenger Renat Ondar's eyes. Before Silva could respond in any meaningful way, Sofronov pivoted and congratulated Ondar on his victory — a fight that had not yet taken place.
The gaffe was immediate and difficult to overlook. A commentator employed by the promotion publicly declared a winner before a single punch had been thrown, raising pointed questions about impartiality within ACA's media operations.
Why it matters
- The incident places ACA's broadcast credibility under scrutiny ahead of a high-profile title fight.
- Silva, as the sitting bantamweight champion, is entitled to neutral treatment from the promotion's own staff in the lead-up to a defense of his title.
- The episode may affect how fighters, managers, and fans perceive the fairness of ACA's presentation of future events.
Sharp criticism followed the moment online and within MMA circles, with observers noting that a title challenger being congratulated before the opening bell by a house commentator undermines the professional standard expected at championship level. Whether ACA addresses the incident publicly or takes any internal action regarding Sofronov's conduct remains to be seen.
