UFC matchmakers reportedly clashed with Khamzat and Khabib over fighter signings

Khamzat Chimaev and Khabib Nurmagomedov reportedly arranged the UFC signings of their respective fighters — Vagaev and Gasanov — by going directly through the organization's top brass, bypassing the matchmaking team. According to the account, the matchmakers responded by booking Gasanov against Vagaev, then later removing Gasanov from the bout on the grounds he could not complete drug testing in time. Vagaev was subsequently told the only available slot for him was at 77 kg against Saygid Izagakhmaev, a matchup the matchmaking team reportedly engineered to either force Vagaev to decline or hand Izagakhmaev a difficult fight.