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Khamzat Chimaev and Khabib Nurmagomedov each pushed through UFC signings — Vagaev and Gasanov respectively — by going directly to organization bosses, bypassing matchmakers who were presented with the decisions as a fait accompli. In apparent retaliation, matchmakers initially booked Gasanov and Vagaev against each other, then removed Gasanov citing a failed drug-testing timeline despite his reported readiness. Vagaev was subsequently offered a welterweight bout against Saygid Izagakhmaev as the only available slot, a matchup sources say was designed to either sideline him or hand Izagakhmaev — also out of favor — a difficult fight.
AgentMMA.com
