Magomedrasul Hasanov has been removed from the UFC Abu Dhabi card and will not compete at the event. The promotion is now searching for a replacement opponent for Abubakar Vagaev.
Magomedrasul Hasanov has been pulled from the UFC's upcoming Abu Dhabi event, leaving Abubakar Vagaev without an opponent and the promotion scrambling to find a replacement before the card takes place.
The UFC confirmed the withdrawal on June 7, though no official reason for Hasanov's removal was provided. Such late-notice pullouts typically fall under the injury category, and the promotion is now actively searching for a fighter willing to step in on short notice to face Vagaev.
Why it matters
- Vagaev's place on the card remains uncertain until a replacement opponent is confirmed.
- Late-notice replacements can significantly shift the competitive dynamic of any bout.
- The Abu Dhabi card loses a confirmed fight, potentially affecting the event's overall shape.
With no verified fighter data available for either Hasanov or Vagaev at the time of this report, further context on divisional stakes and rankings implications will become clearer once the UFC announces how it intends to proceed. Whether Vagaev ultimately competes on the card depends entirely on the promotion's ability to source a willing substitute within the available timeframe.
