Albert Tumenov will seek to continue hot post-UFC run at ACA 181

UFC veteran Albert Tumenov is scheduled for his first fight of 2024.

Set to take place on November 2 at ACA 181 in Saint Petersburg, Russia, ACA welterweight champion Tumenov (23-5) will be stepping back into the octagon to face former champ Abubakar Vagaev in the finals of the ACA welterweight grand prix. The bout is scheduled for five rounds, with Tumenov putting his title on the line. The promotion officially announced the fight on social media Thursday.

Since his departure from the UFC in 2016, Tumenov has remained undefeated in combat sports. Following his eight-fight run in the UFC that ended with consecutive submission losses to Gunner Nelson and Leon Edwards, he has gone on to win nine straight fights: eight in MMA and one under custom rules.

Tumenov’s most recent fight was at ACA 168 in December, where he defeated Ustarmagomed Gadzhidaudov in the fifth round to claim the ACA welterweight title. His first fight of 2024 will see him up against a former champ who is currently on a two-fight winning streak.

Vagaev (23-4) is coming off back-to-back unanimous decision victories over UFC veteran Michel Prazeres and Edil Esenguglov. The 31-year-old Russian boasts a record of 7-1 in ACA events and previously held the ACA welterweight title in 2022.