Alexander Shlemenko and Ramazan Emeev have announced a middleweight championship fight between themselves, though ACB CEO Magomed Bibulatov has yet to officially confirm the bout. The announcement came directly from the two fighters rather than from the promotion.
Alexander Shlemenko and Ramazan Emeev have each announced what they say will be a middleweight championship fight between them under the ACB banner, though the bout remains unconfirmed as ACB CEO Magomed Bibulatov has yet to sign off on the matchup. The announcement originated from the fighters themselves rather than from the promotion, leaving the contest's status uncertain.
Shlemenko, nicknamed "Storm," carries one of the most decorated records in Russian MMA at 56 wins and 9 losses. The 42-year-old stands five-foot-eleven and has built his reputation as a relentless pressure striker, averaging an eye-catching 4.36 significant strikes landed per minute at a 60 percent striking accuracy — numbers that place him among the sport's most efficient stand-up fighters. He competes out of his own Storm Shlemenko Fight Team.
Emeev, known as "Gorets," brings a 20-6 record and a well-rounded skill set to the table. The 39-year-old Russian, who trains at American Top Team, stands five-foot-ten with a 76-inch reach. Fighting out of a southpaw stance, he averages 2.53 significant strikes per minute at 45 percent accuracy and supplements his striking with a consistent wrestling attack, posting 2.37 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Both fighters are Russian middleweights with strong promotional histories in the regional scene, making the matchup a natural headline bout for ACB.
- Shlemenko's elite striking volume against Emeev's takedown-based game presents a genuine stylistic contrast.
- The bout's status hinges entirely on CEO confirmation — without it, no date, venue, or official sanctioning is in place.
- If confirmed, a middleweight title would be on the line, raising the stakes considerably for both men at this stage of their careers.
