Khabib Nurmagomedov announced that Magomedsharipov Gasanov has been signed to the UFC. The post is brief and directs followers to alternative platforms for content that may not load properly on Telegram. Details about Gasanov's first opponent or debut date are not provided in this particular announcement. This represents a significant development as Gasanov was the ACA middleweight champion before making the move to the UFC.
Retired UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has announced the signing of ACA Middleweight Champion Magomedsharipov Gasanov to the UFC, with the news breaking on May 25, 2026. No debut date or first opponent has been confirmed alongside the announcement.
Khabib, 37, remains one of the most celebrated figures in MMA history, finishing his career with a perfect 29-0 record and earning widespread recognition as one of the sport's greatest lightweights. The Russian grappling icon has increasingly shifted his focus toward management and promotion through his Fightspirit Team, and this signing represents another step in that role as a talent developer bringing fighters from the Russian MMA scene to the world's biggest stage.
Gasanov arrives in the UFC with championship pedigree, having held the ACA Middleweight title before making the move. The ACA, or Absolute Championship Akhmat, has long served as a proving ground for elite Russian and Eastern European fighters, and a champion from that organization carries genuine credibility entering the UFC's 185-pound division.
Why it matters
- Gasanov brings ACA middleweight gold to the UFC, signaling he arrives as a proven commodity rather than a developmental prospect
- Khabib's continued involvement in fighter management reinforces Fightspirit Team as a pipeline for Russian talent into the UFC
- The middleweight division gains another contender with regional championship experience, though his placement in the rankings will depend on his debut matchup
The specific terms of Gasanov's contract, his debut opponent, and the event he will appear on remain unannounced at this stage.
