ASA explains why they decided to part ways with Balayev

Alexei Yatsenko, president of the ASA League, explained why the organization made the decision to part ways with Marat Balaev.

"The decision was not personally mine. There was a meeting in Krasnodar. Mairbek had the last word. With such high competition [in the ASA], Marat Balaev risks being handicapped. Given the level of the fighters and his age, Marat would be left injured," the functionary said.

Marat "Motivator" Balayev was the ASA featherweight champion.