Saygid Izagakhmaev, who holds a 0-1 UFC record, has stepped in as a late replacement for the injured Magomedrasul Gasanov and will meet Abubakar Vagaev at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 25. The welterweight contest will mark Izagakhmaev's second appearance in the promotion.
Saygid Izagakhmaev will make his second UFC appearance on July 25, stepping in on short notice to face Abubakar Vagaev at UFC Abu Dhabi after the originally scheduled opponent, Magomedrasul Gasanov, was forced out through injury.
Izagakhmaev enters the welterweight bout carrying a professional record of 22 wins and 3 losses, though he is 0-1 inside the UFC octagon. The 31-year-old Russian trains out of the Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov School and stands six feet tall with a 74-inch reach. His statistical profile points to a grappling-heavy approach — he averages 4 takedowns per 15 minutes — while his striking accuracy sits at a notable 58 percent, even if his volume of 1.33 significant strikes landed per minute is relatively modest.
Verified data for Vagaev was not available at the time of this report, limiting further statistical comparison ahead of the bout.
Why it matters
- Izagakhmaev gets an accelerated opportunity to move off an 0-1 UFC record and establish himself in the welterweight division.
- The late-replacement scenario compresses preparation time, a factor that can significantly shape how the fight plays out stylistically.
- With Gasanov removed from the card, the matchmakers turned to Izagakhmaev to preserve the welterweight contest, underlining the promotional depth at 170 pounds.
