Andreas Gustafsson has been cut from the UFC roster after withdrawing from his bout against Daniil Donchenko due to heart problems. The Swedish fighter is dealing with atrial fibrillation and recurrent tachycardia, which forced him to halt his training camp and undergo multiple medical examinations. UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby confirmed the release but left the door open for a potential return if Gustafsson receives full medical clearance from his doctors, UFC physicians, and athletic commissions.
Andreas Gustafsson has been released from the UFC after a serious heart condition forced him to withdraw from a scheduled bout against Daniil Donchenko, the promotion confirmed on May 31, 2026.
Gustafsson, 35, carries a professional record of 12 wins and 3 losses and competes out of Vasteras Fight Club in Sweden. Standing six-foot-one with a 73-inch reach, the orthodox striker known as "Bane" had been one of the more productive grapplers on the roster, averaging 6.19 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a striking accuracy of 71 percent — one of the higher marks in his division. His medical situation, which includes atrial fibrillation and recurrent tachycardia, forced him to halt his training camp entirely and undergo multiple rounds of medical evaluation.
UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby confirmed the release but indicated the door remains open for Gustafsson to return should he secure full medical clearance from his personal physicians, UFC doctors, and the relevant athletic commissions.
Donchenko, the 24-year-old orthodox fighter who was set to face Gustafsson, holds a record of 15-2-0 and brings considerable striking volume to his fights, averaging 7.15 significant strikes per minute. The Russian prospect now finds himself without an opponent and will need to be rescheduled.
Why it matters
- Gustafsson's release removes one of the division's most active takedown artists from the roster at what may be a critical juncture in his career at age 35.
- The cardiac conditions involved — atrial fibrillation and recurrent tachycardia — carry strict medical thresholds, making a clearance pathway genuinely uncertain.
- Donchenko, despite his youth and strong record, loses a high-profile pairing that could have accelerated his ranking trajectory.
- The UFC's willingness to revisit the contract pending clearance leaves Gustafsson's career status unresolved rather than definitively closed.
