Absolute Championship Akhmat Explained

Absolute Championship Akhmat
Current Season:2024 in Absolute Championship Akhmat
Founder:Mairbek Khasiev
Headquarters:Grozny, Chechnya
Sport:Mixed martial arts
Website:www.aca-mma.com/en
Country:Russia

Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA), formerly known as Absolute Championship Berkut (ACB), is a Russian mixed martial arts, kickboxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu organization and one of the leading promotions in Europe.[1] To date, most events have been hosted in Grozny, Russia. ACA has also held events in other Russian cities, as well as in Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, England, France, Georgia, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Scotland, Slovakia, Tajikistan, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

History

Absolute Championship Berkut

ACB was founded by Mairbek Khasiev, a citizen of Chechnya. In 2009, he founded the Berkut Fight Club in Grozny which helped young fighters get the opportunity to compete at the highest level.

Several fighters who were successful in ACB have gone on to sign with more well known promotions such as the UFC. ACB had its own fight team, the Fight Club Berkut, which consisted of some of the promotion's fighters, such as Beslan Isaev, Magomed Bibulatov, Musa Khamanaev and Aslambek Saidov. ACB co-operated with other promotions in Europe by exchanging fighters, for example KSW and The Cage. ACB ran the majority of its shows live on a variety of TV networks (Match TV, Polsat Sport) throughout Europe. The promotion ran its shows live internationally on its Facebook page.

International Expansion

The 2017 campaign featured 27 events spanning across thirteen countries, including the United States, Austria, Poland, England, Tajikistan, Belarus, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Canada, Brazil, Germany, Australia and Russia.

TECH-Krep FC purchase

On September 12, 2018, Mairbek Khasiev revealed that Absolute Championship Berkut had purchased TECH-Krep FC.[2] Khasiev went on to explain that TECH-Krep FC would cease operation and cancel their October 26 event, and that former Tech-Krep FC head Alexey Yatsenko would become the president of ACB.

WFCA acquisition and integration

On November 28, 2018, the Head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov announced that the Absolute Championship Berkut (ACB) and the World Fighting Championship Akhmat (WFCA) would merge to form a single promotion.[3]

US Sanctions

On December 20, 2020, the U.S. Department of Treasury announced sanctions against ACA and Akhmat MMA due to their ownership by Kadyrov. Due to this, no American citizen or company can do business with them, meaning all American fighters could face fines or jail time if they fight for the organization.[4] Brett Cooper was the first fighter to pull out of his fight at ACA 116: Froes vs Balaev due to the sanctions.[5]

Roster

See main article: List of current ACA fighters.

List of events

See main article: List of Absolute Championship Akhmat events and 2024 in Absolute Championship Akhmat.

Current champions

Mixed martial arts

Division Champion Since Defenses
Heavyweight Evgeniy GoncharovMarch 17, 20231
Light HeavyweightVacant
Middleweight Magomedrasul Gasanov April 9, 20214
Welterweight Albert TumenovDecember 24, 20230
Lightweight Abdul-Aziz AbdulvakhabovSeptember 19, 20202
Featherweight Islam OmarovJuly 21, 20231
Bantamweight Pavel VitrukApril 19, 20240
Flyweight Kurban GadzhievFebruary 25, 20230

Rankings

The rankings for the ACA's fighters are both recorded and updated when information has been obtained from the ACA's website.[6]

ACA Rankings
style= width:1%;"Rankstyle= width:24%;"Heavyweightstyle= width:24%;"Light Heavyweightstyle= width:24%;"Middleweightstyle= width:24%;"Welterweight
C Evgeniy Goncharov Magomedrasul Gasanov
1 Alikhan Vakhaev Muslim Magomedov Shamil Abdulaev Ustarmagomed Gadzhidaudov
2 Mukhumat Vakhaev Grigor Matevosyan Artem Frolov Abubakar Vagaev
3 Adam Bogatyrev Adlan Ibragimov Abdul-Rahman Dzhanaev Chersi Dudaev
4 Kirill Kornilov Leonardo Silva Salamu Abdurahmanov Uzair Abdurakov
5 Anton Vyazigin Faridun Odilov Ibragim Magomedov Anatoliy Boyko
6 Evgeniy Egemberdiev Mikhail Dolgov Andrei Koshkin
7 Pouya Rahmani Elmar Gasanov Murad Abdulaev Khuseyn Khaliev
8 Ruslan Medzhidov Sulim Batalov 2 Vitaly Nemchinov
9 Salimgirey Rasulov Ruslan Gabaraev Husein Kushagov Vinicius Cruz
10 Carlos Felipe Mikhail Mokhnatkin 2 Nikola Dipchikov Denis Maher
style= width:1%;"Rankstyle= width:24%;"Lightweightstyle= width:24%;"Featherweightstyle= width:24%;"Bantamweightstyle= width:24%;"Flyweight
C Islam Omarov Pavel Vitruk Kurban Gadzhiev
1 Alihan Suleimanov Oleg Borisov Azam Gaforov
2 Daud Shakhaev Bibert Tumenov Mehdi Baydulaev 3 Azamat Kerefov
3 Artem Reznikov Felipe Froes Magomed Bibulatov 1 Azamat Pshukov
4 Yusuf Raisov Kurban Taygibov Rustam Kerimov 1 Aren Akopyan
5 Mukhamed Kokov Alexey Polpudnikov Josiel Silva 1 Anatoliy Kondratiev
6 Herdeson Batista Marcos Rodrigues Akhmed Musakaev Imran Bukuev
7 Alexander Matmuratov Apti Bimarzaev Aleksandr Podlesniy Yunus Evloev
8 Amirkhan Adaev Gleb Khabibulin Timur Valiev
9 Ali Abdulkhalikov Abdul-Rakhman Dudaev 1 Maharbek Karginov Vartan Asatryan
10 Davi Ramos Davlatmand Chuponov 1 Goga Shamatava Anis Ekubov

Championship history

Mixed martial arts

Heavyweight Championship

over 93 kg (over 205 lb)

No.NameEventDateReign
(total)		Defenses
1align=left Zelimkhan Umiev
align=center ACB 9
align=center Jun 22, 2014align=center
2align=left Salimgerey Rasulovalign=center ACB 29
align=center Feb 6, 2016align=center
3align=left Denis Goltsovalign=center ACB 50
align=center Dec 18, 2016align=center
4align=left align=center ACB 67
align=center Aug 19, 2017align=center
ACB and WFCA merged on November 28, 2018 to become ACA.
Evgeniy Goncharov and Tony Johnson Jr. fought to a no contest at ACA 96, leaving the belt vacated.[7]
5align=left Evgeniy Goncharov
align=center ACA 97
align=center Aug 31, 2019align=center
6align=left align=center ACA 104
align=center Feb 21, 2020align=center ? days
Mukhamad Vakhaev vacated the title in March 2020 when he chose to test the free agency after the end of his contract with ACA.
7align=left Tony Johnson Jr.
align=center ACA 114
align=center Nov 26, 2020align=center
8align=left Salimgerey Rasulovalign=center ACA 138
align=center Mar 26, 2022align=center
9align=left Alikhan Vakhaevalign=center ACA 143
align=center Aug 27, 2022align=center
10align=left align=center ACA 154
align=center Mar 17, 2023align=center
(incumbent)

Light Heavyweight Championship

93 kg (205 lb)

No.NameEventDateReign
(total)		Defenses
1align=left Gadzhimurad Antigulov
align=center ACB 9
align=center Jun 22, 2014align=center ? days
Antigulov vacated the title when he signed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
2align=left Thiago Silva
align=center ACB 51
align=center Jan 13, 2017align=center
3align=left Batraz Agnaevalign=center ACB 65
align=center Jul 22, 2017align=center
4align=left Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradovalign=center ACB 86
align=center May 5, 2018align=center
ACB and WFCA merged on November 28, 2018 to become ACA.
5align=left Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov
align=center ACA 92
align=center Feb 16, 2019align=center
Yagshimuradov vacated the title on December 22, 2020 when he signed for Bellator MMA.[8]
6align=left Muslim Magomedov
align=center ACA 126
align=center Jul 16, 2021align=center
(incumbent)

Middleweight Championship

84 kg (185 lb)

No.NameEventDateReign
(total)		Defenses
1align=left Anatoly Tokov
align=center ACB 38
align=center May 20, 2016align=center
Tokov vacated the title on October 1, 2016 when he signed for M-1 Global due to a contract dispute.[9]
2align=left Albert Duraev
align=center ACB 77
align=center Dec 23, 2017align=center ? days
ACB and WFCA merged on November 28, 2018 to become ACA.
3align=left Salamu Abdurakhmanov
align=center ACA 95
align=center Apr 27, 2019align=center ? days
—align=left Magomedrasul Gasanov
align=center ACA 121
align=center Apr 9, 2021align=center —
Abdurakhmanov vacated the title due to health reasons
4align=left Magomedrasul Gasanov
align=center ACA 121
align=center Apr 9, 2021align=center
(incumbent)

Welterweight Championship

77 kg (170 lb)

No.NameEventDateReign
(total)		Defenses
1align=left Albert Duraev
align=center ACB 22
align=center Sep 12, 2015align=center ? days
Duraev was stripped of the title due to him missing weight and his eventual move up to Middleweight.
2align=left Brett Cooper
align=center ACB 50
align=center Dec 18, 2016align=center
3align=left Mukhamed Berkhamovalign=center ACB 67
align=center Aug 19, 2017align=center ? days
Berkhamov was stripped of the title after his refusal to accept 3 title defense match ups.
4align=left Albert Tumenov
align=center ACB 89
align=center Sep 8, 2018align=center
ACB and WFCA merged on November 28, 2018 to become ACA.
5align=left Albert Tumenov
align=center ACA 95
align=center Apr 27, 2019align=center
Tumenov vacated the title in November 2019 when he chose to test the free agency after the end of his contract with ACA.
6align=left Murad Abdulaev
align=center ACA 110
align=center Sep 5, 2020align=center
7align=left Abubakar Vagaevalign=center ACA 118
align=center Feb 26, 2021align=center
8align=left Vitaly Slipenkoalign=center ACA 149
align=center Dec 16, 2022align=center
9align=left Ustarmagomed Gadzhidaudovalign=center ACA 160
align=center Jul 21, 2023align=center
10align=left align=center ACA 168
align=center December 24, 2023align=center
(incumbent)

Lightweight Championship

70 kg (155 lb)

No.NameEventDateReign
(total)		Defenses
1align=left Abdul-Aziz Abdulvakhabov
align=center ACB 9
align=center Jun 22, 2014align=center


—align=left Eduard Vartanyan
align=center ACB 71
align=center Sep 30, 2017align=center —
2align=left Ali Bagovalign=center ACB 89
align=center Sep 8, 2018align=center
ACB and WFCA merged on November 28, 2018 to become ACA.
3align=left Ali Bagov
align=center ACA 99
align=center Sep 27, 2019align=center ? days
Title vacated after Bagov moved up to welterweight.
4align=left
align=center ACA 111
align=center Sep 19, 2020align=center
(incumbent)


—align=left Mukhamed Kokov
align=center ACA 154
align=center Mar 17, 2023align=center —

Featherweight Championship

66 kg (145 lb)

No.NameEventDateReign
(total)		Defenses
1align=left Zabit Magomedsharipov
align=center ACB 31
align=center Mar 29, 2016align=center
Magomedsharipov vacated the title on May 4, 2017 when he signed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
2align=left Marat Balayev
align=center ACB 50
align=center Dec 18, 2016align=center
—align=left Yusuf Raisov
align=center ACB 77
align=center Dec 23, 2017align=center —
3align=left Yusuf Raisovalign=center ACB 86
align=center May 5, 2018align=center
ACB and WFCA merged on November 28, 2018 to become ACA.
4align=left Salman Zhamaldaev
align=center ACA 93
align=center Mar 16, 2019align=center
5align=left Felipe Froesalign=center ACA 100
align=center Oct 4, 2019align=center
Froes was stripped of the title on March 26, 2021 after failing to make weight for his title defense against Magomedrasul Khasbulaev at ACA 120.
6align=left
align=center ACA 120
align=center Mar 26, 2021align=center ? days
—align=left Alikhan Suleymanov
align=center AC1 141
align=center Jul 22, 2022align=center —
Khasbulaev was stripped of the title after he pulled out of three bouts against Suleymanov. Suleymanov was subsequently promoted to undisputed champion.
7align=left Alikhan Suleymanov
align=center ACA 141
align=center Jul 22, 2022align=center
8align=left Islam Omarov align=center ACA 160
align=center Jul 21, 2023align=center
(incumbent)

Bantamweight Championship

61 kg (135 lb)

No.NameEventDateReign
(total)		Defense
1align=left
align=center ACB 32
align=center Mar 26, 2016align=center
2align=left Petr Yanalign=center ACB 57
align=center Apr 15, 2017align=center
Yan vacated the title on January 30, 2018 when he signed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
3align=left Rustam Kerimov
align=center ACB 83
align=center Mar 24, 2018align=center
ACB and WFCA merged on November 28, 2018 to become ACA.
4align=left Rustam Kerimov
align=center ACA 93
align=center Mar 16, 2019align=center ? days
Kerimov vacated the title in December 2019 when he chose to test the free agency after the end of his contract with ACA.
5align=left Daniel Oliveira
align=center ACA 105
align=center Mar 6, 2020align=center
6align=left Magomed Bibulatovalign=center ACA 120
align=center Mar 26, 2021align=center
7align=left Oleg Borisovalign=center ACA 138
align=center Mar align=center
8align=left Pavel Vitruk align=center ACA 174
align=center April 19, 2024align=center
(incumbent)

Flyweight Championship

57 kg (125 lb)

No.NameEventDateReign
(total)		Defense
1align=left Askar Askarov
align=center ACB 48
align=center Oct 22, 2016align=center

ACB and WFCA merged on November 28, 2018 to become ACA.
2align=left Yunus Evloev
align=center ACA 95
align=center Apr 27, 2019align=center ? days
Evloev vacated the title in December 2019 for health reasons.
3align=left
align=center ACA 104
align=center Feb 21, 2020align=center
Kerefov vacated the title on October 10, 2021 when he chose to test the free agency.
4align=left Imran Bukuev
align=center ACA 136
align=center Feb 26, 2022align=center
5align=left Kurban Gadzhievalign=center ACA 152
align=center Feb 25, 2023align=center
(incumbent)

Kickboxing

Heavyweight Championship

120 kg (265 lb)

style= width:1%;"No.style= width:20%;"Namestyle= width:18%;"Eventstyle=width:13%;"Datestyle= width:45%;"Defenses
Currentalign=left align=center ACB KB 15
align=center April 20, 2018align=left
1align=left Jhonata Diniz
align=center ACB KB 6
align=center June 5, 2016align=left

Middleweight Championship

84 kg (185 lb)

style= width:1%;"No.style= width:20%;"Namestyle= width:18%;"Eventstyle=width:13%;"Datestyle= width:45%;"Defenses
Currentalign=left
align=center ACB KB 15
align=center April 20, 2018align=left

Welterweight Championship

77 kg (170 lb)

style= width:1%;"No.style= width:20%;"Namestyle= width:18%;"Eventstyle=width:13%;"Datestyle= width:45%;"Defenses
Currentalign=left
align=center ACB KB 15
align=center April 20, 2018align=left

Brazilian jiu-jitsu

GI Heavyweight Championship

120 kg (265 lb)

style= width:1%;"No.style= width:20%;"Namestyle= width:18%;"Eventstyle=width:13%;"Datestyle= width:45%;"Defenses
Currentalign=left Marcus Almeidaalign=center ACB JJ 13
align=center May 5, 2018align=left
2align=left align=center ACB JJ 10
align=center January 26, 2018align=left
1align=left Luiz Panza
align=center ACB JJ 5
align=center June 22, 2014align=left

GI Light Heavyweight Championship

95 kg (209 lb)

style= width:1%;"No.style= width:20%;"Namestyle= width:18%;"Eventstyle=width:13%;"Datestyle= width:45%;"Defenses
Currentalign=left Felipe Pena
align=center ACB JJ 12
align=center April 14, 2018align=left

GI Middleweight Championship

85 kg (187 lb)

style= width:1%;"No.style= width:20%;"Namestyle= width:18%;"Eventstyle=width:13%;"Datestyle= width:45%;"Defenses
Currentalign=left
align=center ACB JJ 13
align=center May 5, 2018align=left

GI Welterweight Championship

75 kg (165 lb)

style= width:1%;"No.style= width:20%;"Namestyle= width:18%;"Eventstyle=width:13%;"Datestyle= width:45%;"Defenses
Currentalign=left Lucas Leprialign=center ACB JJ 14
align=center June 30, 2018align=left
1align=left
align=center ACB JJ 11
align=center March 3, 2018align=left

GI Lightweight Championship

65 kg (143 lbs)

style= width:1%;"No.style= width:20%;"Namestyle= width:18%;"Eventstyle=width:13%;"Datestyle= width:45%;"Defenses
Currentalign=left Paulo Miyao
align=center ACB JJ 10
align=center January 26, 2018align=left

GI Featherweight Championship

60 kg (132 lbs)

style= width:1%;"No.style= width:20%;"Namestyle= width:18%;"Eventstyle=width:13%;"Datestyle= width:45%;"Defenses
Currentalign=left
align=center ACB JJ 12
align=center April 14, 2018align=left

Grand Prix champions

Event Date Division Winner Runner-up
ACB 22Sep 12, 2015Lightweight Ali Bagov Eduard Vartanyan
Welterweight Albert Duraev Ustarmagomed Gadzhidaudov
ACB 24Oct 24, 2015Light Heavyweight Muslim Makhmudov Husein Kushagov
Bantamweight Petr Yan Murad Kalamov
Heavyweight Salimgerey Rasulov Michał Andryszak
Featherweight Zabit Magomedsharipov Abdul-Rakhman Temirov
ACB 26Nov 28, 2015Flyweight Velimurad Alkhasov Ruslan Abiltarov
ACB 38May 20, 2016Middleweight Anatoly Tokov Arbi Aguev
ACA 159Jun 16, 2023Lightweight Eduard Vartanyan Artem Reznikov
ACA 178Aug 10, 2024Heavyweight

Notable fighters

Mixed martial arts

Kickboxing

Brazilian jiu-jitsu

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Zidan . Karim . Ripe with ambition, ACB President Bekhan Khasiev confident his promotion will garner international recognition . Bloody Elbow . 2014-12-22 . 2016-11-30.
  2. Web site: ACB purchases TECH-Krep FC. sports.ru. September 12, 2018.
  3. Web site: Кадыров заявил об объединении лиг смешанных единоборств ACB и WFCA - ТАСС .
  4. Web site: The Dictator's Dilemma: How U.S. sanctions will impact Ramzan Kadyrov's MMA aspirations. 16 December 2020 . bloodyelbow.com.
  5. Web site: Американский боец отказался выступать в Absolute Championship Akhmat из-за санкций. tass.ru.
  6. Web site: Rankings ACA. 2020-11-25. www.aca-mma.com.
  7. Web site: Tony Johnson: I want a rematch!. June 13, 2019. Absolute Championship Akhmat.
  8. Web site: 2020-12-22 . Bellator signs ACA light heavyweight champion Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov . 2023-04-02 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  9. Web site: Анатолий Токов уволен из лиги АСВ . 2016-10-01. 2022-12-27 . Tobolsk.ru.

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