The signing of Abubakar Vagaev and Magomedsharap Gasanov to the UFC is being attributed to their high-profile connections rather than typical recruitment. For years, top ACA fighters couldn't secure UFC contracts, but Vagaev and Gasanov, both grappling-heavy fighters from the CIS region, were signed through influential backing. Vagaev was reportedly signed with Khamzat Chimaev's support, while Gasanov came through Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev's connections. The author speculates this may have involved negotiation leverage. The piece notes that Dana White typically dislikes ground-control specialists from the CIS region, making these signings unusual. Despite being scheduled for prelims in a three-round bout, the matchup between these two is generating significant excitement in Russian-speaking MMA circles, with both Chimaev and Khabib expected to corner their respective fighters.
Two grappling-heavy fighters from the CIS region are set to meet on a UFC prelim card, but the story behind their signings may be generating as much attention as the fight itself. Abubakar Vagaev and Magomedsharap Gasanov are reportedly heading for a three-round bout, with both men said to have secured their UFC contracts through high-profile backing rather than the conventional recruitment pipeline.
Vagaev's path to the UFC is being linked to Khamzat Chimaev, the Allstars Training Center standout who holds a 15-1-0 record and sits ranked number one in the middleweight division. Chimaev, 32, fighting out of the United Arab Emirates, is one of the sport's most dominant grapplers, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes with a striking accuracy of 60 percent. He is expected to corner Vagaev on fight night.
Gasanov's connection runs through Khabib Nurmagomedov and reigning welterweight champion Islam Makhachev. Nurmagomedov, the 37-year-old Russian legend who retired with a flawless 29-0-0 record, and Makhachev, who carries a 28-1-0 mark and sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings, are both said to have used their influence to bring Gasanov into the organization. Makhachev is expected to be in Gasanov's corner.
Why it matters
- Both signings highlight growing influence of elite fighters in UFC roster decisions
- Dana White has historically shown little enthusiasm for ground-control specialists from the CIS region, making these contracts notable exceptions
- The dual cornering assignments — Chimaev for Vagaev, Khabib and Makhachev for Gasanov — elevate a prelim bout into a proxy clash between two of MMA's most powerful camps
- Russian-speaking MMA audiences are already treating this matchup as a significant event regardless of its placement on the card
