Tensions between UFC matchmakers and the camps of Khamzat Chimaev and Khabib Nurmagomedov reportedly arose after the two stars bypassed matchmakers to sign Magomed Vagaev and Abubakar Gasanov directly through UFC management. In apparent retaliation, matchmakers initially booked Vagaev and Gasanov against each other, then removed Gasanov from the card citing a failed USADA timeline despite the fighter allegedly being ready. Vagaev was subsequently told his only available bout was at 170 lbs against Saygid Izagakhmaev, a pairing that matchmakers calculated would either force Vagaev to withdraw or hand a difficult fight to Izagakhmaev, another fighter they view unfavorably.
Reports have emerged suggesting a behind-the-scenes conflict between UFC matchmakers and the respective camps of Khamzat Chimaev and Khabib Nurmagomedov, stemming from how two Russian prospects were brought into the promotion. According to the reports, which have not been officially confirmed, Magomed Vagaev and Abubakar Gasanov were signed directly through UFC management rather than through the standard matchmaker process — a move attributed to the influence of Chimaev and Nurmagomedov's camps.
Khamzat Chimaev, the 32-year-old middleweight ranked first in his division and tenth in the pound-for-pound standings, carries a 15-1-0 record and is one of the promotion's most prominent stars. Fighting out of Allstars Training Center and standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, he lands significant strikes at a rate of 4.04 per minute with a striking accuracy of 60 percent, while also averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes. Khabib Nurmagomedov, the undefeated 29-0-0 legend now retired at 37, remains deeply connected to MMA through management and mentorship, training fighters out of his Fightspirit Team setup.
According to the unconfirmed report, matchmakers responded to the perceived slight by initially scheduling Vagaev and Gasanov against one another. Gasanov was then pulled from the card, with a failed USADA timeline cited as the reason, though the report claims the fighter was ready to compete. Vagaev was subsequently offered only one option: a welterweight bout against Saygid Izagakhmaev.
Izagakhmaev, a 31-year-old Russian fighter carrying a 22-3-0 record and trained at the Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov School, is a disciplined grappler who averages four takedowns per 15 minutes and lands strikes at 58 percent accuracy. The report alleges matchmakers viewed the pairing as a calculated problem — one that would either push Vagaev to decline the fight or saddle Izagakhmaev, another fighter they regard unfavorably, with a difficult assignment.
Why it matters
- The reported conflict highlights tensions between talent-side influence and internal matchmaking authority inside the UFC
- Izagakhmaev's positioning suggests matchmakers may be using fight bookings as a lever in a broader organizational dispute
- Neither Chimaev's camp, Nurmagomedov's team, nor the UFC has publicly addressed the allegations
