Magomedrasul Gasanov has been removed from his scheduled fight against Abubakar Vagaev after the UFC flagged a substance found in his system. Gasanov's sparring partner Ikram Aliskerov explained that Gasanov provided documentation of all compounds taken over the past six months and tested clean, but that a particular substance with a long detection window was deemed unacceptable by the promotion. Aliskerov drew a parallel to the meldonium cases that affected other fighters, suggesting the issue stems from a legally used substance that lingers in the body rather than deliberate doping.
Magomedrasul Gasanov has been pulled from his scheduled UFC bout against Abubakar Vagaev after the promotion detected a banned substance in his system, the organization confirmed ahead of the June 24 card.
Details of the situation were relayed publicly by Ikram Aliskerov, Gasanov's sparring partner and a fellow member of the KHK MMA camp. The 33-year-old Russian, who carries an 18-2 professional record and competes at middleweight, said Gasanov submitted documentation covering every compound he had ingested over the previous six months and subsequently tested clean. According to Aliskerov, the issue centers on a single substance that was used legally but carries an unusually long detection window, making it traceable long after its effects have worn off. He drew a direct parallel to the meldonium controversy that ensnared several combat sports athletes in previous years, framing the situation as one of residual presence rather than intentional cheating.
The UFC determined the substance was unacceptable under its anti-doping policies regardless of intent, leading to Gasanov's removal from the matchup.
Why it matters
- Vagaev now needs a replacement opponent or risks losing his own spot on the card
- The case raises questions about how the UFC's anti-doping framework handles substances with extended biological half-lives
- Aliskerov, a prominent voice in this story, is himself an active UFC middleweight whose standing in the division gives the camp's account added visibility
- The meldonium comparison signals the camp believes the matter is one of pharmacological timing rather than a deliberate violation, though that distinction ultimately rests with UFC and its testing partner
