Following Bellator MMA’s recent team victory over Rizin FF on New Year’s Eve, Absolute Championship Akhmat founder Mairbek Khasiev has a proposal to the promotion.

Rather than a simple co-promotion between the organizations, Khasiev envisions a grand prix between multiple organizations and issued the following open letter:

Bellator MMA finally came to what I’ve been talking about for a long time. These are league-against-league fights between the best MMA leagues in the world. Scott Coker and Co. chose to follow an easy path by fighting with Rizin. We saw what was the result of it – the Japanese promotion acted as an extra and lost with a score of 5-0.

To be honest, I still didn’t understand what the idea of this standoff was. There was no intrigue at all, but the main thing is that the ice has moved and now Bellator, inspired by its ‘success,’ challenges all other Leagues. Fine, we accept this challenge, and I have no doubt that the ACA will ‘take out’ its colleagues from the USA.

But there is a question: ‘What will this victory give us if Bellator is not the strongest organization in the world?’ Having beaten their fighters, we will still not be satisfied, so then what is the purpose of such a ‘success’? That is why I have a counteroffer that I’ve been talking about for many years. This is to arrange a grand prix of the best leagues in the world. I think that four promotions will be enough. It is unlikely that there will be more. It would be fair to separate the UFC and Bellator, and then by drawing lots to spread the ACA and the fourth participant in the semifinals. We will be satisfied with any option in the starting battle. 

Today, it is obvious to everyone that ACA is the flagship not only of Russia, but also of European MMA, in general. Therefore, our participation in the likely tournament should not raise any questions. The roster of fighters, ratings, fees, bonuses, the level of fights, all speak for themselves. So let’s sit down and negotiate. We are ready for any dates and locations. Mr. White, Coker and the rest, it’s up to you now. Without the ACA, your hysteria will be incomplete and questionable. This story will cause an unprecedented stir in the world of MMA, and you can also earn good money on it.

The old is waiting for your response! 

M. Khasiev