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UFC matchmakers were bypassed when Khamzat Chimaev signed Vagaev and Khabib Nurmagomedov signed Gasanov directly through promotion bosses, sources indicate. In apparent retaliation, matchmakers initially paired the two fighters against each other, then pulled Gasanov from the bout citing failed USADA clearance. Vagaev was subsequently informed there was no opponent for him at his original weight class and was offered a fight at 170 lbs against Saygid Izagakhmaev — a matchup designed to present him with a difficult outing regardless of his decision.
AgentMMA.com
