Gasanov pulled from UFC bout over flagged substance, sparring partner explains

Magomedrasul Gasanov has been pulled from his scheduled UFC bout against Abubakar Vagaev after the promotion raised concerns over a substance detected in his system.

The explanation came not from Gasanov directly but from his sparring partner, Ikram Aliskerov, who offered a detailed account of what led to the removal. According to Aliskerov, Gasanov submitted documentation covering everything he had taken over the prior six months and subsequently passed a follow-up test. Despite that, the UFC flagged a specific compound on the basis that it remains traceable in the bloodstream long after use. Aliskerov drew a parallel to the meldonium controversy that swept through Russian athletics, framing the substance as a low-level supplement rather than a performance-enhancing drug in any traditional sense.

Aliskerov, a 33-year-old Russian middleweight fighting out of KHK MMA, carries an 18-2 record and is no stranger to the scrutiny that accompanies elite-level competition. Standing six feet tall with a 76-inch reach, the southpaw is one of the more productive strikers in his division, landing 6.86 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 64 percent accuracy. He also averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes, reflecting a well-rounded game that has made him a credible voice within the camp.

Why it matters

• Gasanov's removal leaves Vagaev without an opponent, creating a scheduling gap the UFC will need to address.
• The case raises broader questions about how the UFC handles substances that are detectable long after discontinuation, particularly for athletes in Eastern European training camps.
• The meldonium comparison signals that the camp views this as a procedural issue rather than an intentional doping violation.