UFC matchmakers engineered Vagaev-Izagakhmaev bout as retaliation over fighter signings

UFC matchmakers were placed in a difficult position after Hamzat Chimaev and Khabib Nurmagomedov separately pushed their respective fighters — Abubakar Vagaev and Magomadrasul Gasanov — onto a card through organization bosses without the matchmakers' input. In response, matchmakers first paired Vagaev and Gasanov against each other, then pulled Gasanov citing failed dopings testing clearance, before telling Vagaev his only available fight was against Saygid Izagakhmaev at welterweight. The move was calculated to either push Vagaev back or guarantee Izagakhmaev, another fighter the matchmakers are reportedly unhappy with, a difficult bout.