Andreas Gustafsson has been removed 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 recurring tachycardia. UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby confirmed the release but indicated Gustafsson could return if he receives full medical clearance from doctors and athletic commissions.
Swedish middleweight Andreas "Bane" Gustafsson has been released from the UFC after a medical issue forced him to withdraw from a scheduled bout, with the organization confirming the move on May 31, 2026.
Gustafsson, 35, was pulled from a fight against Daniil Donchenko after being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and recurring tachycardia. UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby confirmed the release while leaving the door open for a return, stating Gustafsson could be reinstated if he receives full medical clearance from both doctors and the relevant athletic commissions.
The Vasteras Fight Club representative carried a 12-3-0 record into his final stint on the roster and stood six-foot-one with a 73-inch reach. His numbers inside the cage were eye-catching — he landed 5.82 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 71 percent striking accuracy, and his grappling pressure was equally dangerous at 6.19 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Donchenko, the 24-year-old opponent who was denied the matchup, holds a 15-2-0 record and has built a reputation as a high-volume striker, averaging 7.15 significant strikes per minute. The Russian fighter stands five-foot-eleven with a 71-inch reach and will now need a new opponent to be sourced.
Why it matters
- Gustafsson's release removes one of the division's more statistically efficient fighters from the roster at a relatively young competitive age of 35.
- The heart conditions involved — atrial fibrillation and tachycardia — carry serious safety implications, and any return path runs through full medical and commission approval.
- Donchenko, with a near-pristine record and elite striking volume, will remain a sought-after booking once a replacement opponent is identified.
