Vagaev vs Gasanov scheduled for UFC Abu Dhabi debut July 25

Abubakr Vagaev and Magomedrasul Gasanov will face each other in their UFC debuts at the Abu Dhabi event on July 25. The matchup, which fans had anticipated since their ACA days, will feature Khamzat Chimaev in Vagaev's corner and Khabib Nurmagomedov or Islam Makhachev in Gasanov's corner. The analyst suggests that personal connections played a significant role in their UFC signings, with Chimaev backing Vagaev and Khabib/Makhachev supporting Gasanov. Despite being grappling-heavy fighters, which typically doesn't align with Dana White's preferences, their connections secured them contracts. The bout will be three rounds in the preliminary card rather than a main event five-rounder, though the analyst believes it deserves greater prominence given the significance within the Russian MMA community.