Magomedrashul Gasanov (23-2), former ACA middleweight champion, has signed with the UFC in a deal announced alongside management company Dominance MMA. His previously scheduled bout against Abubakar Vagaev (24-4) was not held as planned ahead of the signing.
Magomedrashul Gasanov has officially signed with the UFC, with the deal announced in partnership with management company Dominance MMA on June 13, 2026.
Gasanov arrives in the UFC's middleweight division carrying a record of 23 wins and 2 losses, along with a pedigree as a former ACA middleweight champion. The ACA, one of Europe's most prominent regional promotions, has long served as a proving ground for fighters who go on to compete at the highest level, and Gasanov's title reign there underlines his credentials as a legitimate contender in the 185-pound class.
The signing comes with a notable footnote: a previously scheduled bout between Gasanov and Abubakar Vagaev, who holds a record of 24-4, did not take place as planned ahead of the announcement. It is unclear whether that contest was cancelled outright or simply postponed in light of the UFC negotiations.
Why it matters
- Gasanov's 23-2 record and ACA title reign make him one of the more decorated regional prospects to enter the UFC middleweight division in recent memory.
- The involvement of Dominance MMA, a well-connected management firm, suggests Gasanov could be positioned for a meaningful debut matchup rather than a lower-profile introduction.
- The unresolved situation with Vagaev, himself a seasoned fighter at 24-4, leaves open the question of whether that fight could eventually be rebooked inside the UFC.
