Magomedrasul Gasanov was removed from his scheduled fight against Abubakar Vagaev after UFC took issue with a substance detected in his system. His sparring partner Ikram Aliskerov explained that Gasanov submitted records of all substances used over the past six months and subsequently passed a drug test, but the UFC flagged one compound that remains in the bloodstream for an extended period, similar in nature to past meldonium cases. Aliskerov maintained that Gasanov's physical condition and performance levels are unchanged from his time competing in organizations where the substance was not prohibited.
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, it was confirmed on June 24.
Details of the situation were relayed publicly by Gasanov's sparring partner Ikram Aliskerov, an 18-2 Russian middleweight competing out of KHK MMA. Aliskerov, 33, said Gasanov submitted a full six-month record of every substance he had used and subsequently cleared a drug test. However, the UFC flagged one particular compound because it remains detectable in the bloodstream for an extended period — a characteristic Aliskerov compared to past cases involving meldonium, the cardiac drug that caused widespread controversy in combat sports several years ago. Aliskerov emphasized that Gasanov's physical condition and performance levels are no different from when he competed in organizations where the substance in question was not prohibited.
Aliskerov himself is a recognizable name in the middleweight division. Standing six feet tall with a 76-inch reach, the southpaw is one of the more physically imposing fighters in the weight class and brings a high-output attacking style, landing 6.86 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 64 percent. He also averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a threat across multiple phases.
Why it matters
- Gasanov's removal leaves Vagaev without an opponent, with no replacement announced.
- The flagged substance and its long detection window raise questions about how the UFC handles compounds not universally banned across all MMA promotions.
- The meldonium comparison is significant — that case resulted in dozens of suspensions worldwide before WADA revised its guidance on detection thresholds.
- The outcome could have broader implications for fighters transitioning to the UFC from regional promotions with different anti-doping frameworks.
