Magomedrasul Gasanov was removed from his scheduled bout against Abubakar Vagaev after UFC flagged a substance found in his testing. According to Ikram Aliskerov, a training partner of Gasanov, the fighter provided documentation of all substances taken over the past six months and returned a clean test, but the UFC required additional testing over one particular compound that remained detectable in the bloodstream for an extended period. Aliskerov compared the situation to the meldonium cases that previously affected other fighters, including Islam Makhachev.
Magomedrasul Gasanov has been pulled from his scheduled fight against Abubakar Vagaev after the UFC flagged a banned substance detected in his system, the organization confirmed ahead of the June 24 bout.
Details of the situation were relayed publicly by Ikram Aliskerov, a training partner of Gasanov. The 33-year-old Russian middleweight, who carries an 18-2 record and competes out of KHK MMA, stated that Gasanov submitted documentation covering every substance he had taken over the prior six months and subsequently returned a clean test. However, the UFC demanded additional testing because one particular compound remained detectable in the bloodstream for an unusually extended period. Aliskerov, known for his aggressive striking output of 6.86 significant strikes landed per minute and a 64 percent striking accuracy, drew a direct comparison to the meldonium controversy that previously ensnared several fighters, including welterweight champion Islam Makhachev.
Makhachev, now 34 and holding a 28-1 record while ranked as the pound-for-pound top fighter in the UFC, was among those affected during the meldonium wave that swept through combat sports — a situation Aliskerov appears to view as a precedent for Gasanov's current circumstances.
Why it matters
- Gasanov's removal leaves Vagaev without an opponent, creating an immediate scheduling problem for the UFC.
- The meldonium comparison raises questions about how long-clearing compounds are treated under current anti-doping protocols.
- The outcome of the additional testing will determine whether Gasanov faces further sanctions or is cleared to compete.
