Magomedrasul Gasanov was removed from his scheduled bout against Abubakar Vagaev after UFC flagged a substance in his medical disclosures. According to his sparring partner Ikram Aliskerov, Gasanov submitted records of everything he had taken over the past six months, passed his drug test, and has been clean, but the UFC identified one substance that lingered in the system and ordered him to be re-tested before canceling the fight. Aliskerov compared the situation to historical meldonium cases in Russian combat sports, including a similar issue involving Islam Makhachev.
Magomedrasul Gasanov has been pulled from his scheduled fight against Abubakar Vagaev after the UFC flagged a banned substance discovered during its medical screening process, the organization confirmed ahead of the June 24 card.
According to Ikram Aliskerov, Gasanov's sparring partner, the fighter proactively submitted records of every substance he had consumed over the previous six months and passed his drug test. Aliskerov explained that the UFC nonetheless identified one compound that had lingered in Gasanov's system, prompting the organization to order a retest before ultimately canceling the bout entirely.
Aliskerov, a 33-year-old Russian middleweight competing out of KHK MMA, carries an 18-2 professional record and is one of the more dangerous strikers in his division. He lands 6.86 significant strikes per minute at a 64 percent accuracy rate and holds a 76-inch reach. He spoke publicly on the matter and drew a direct comparison to historical meldonium cases in Russian combat sports, noting that welterweight champion Islam Makhachev faced a similar situation in the past.
Makhachev, now 34 and the reigning welterweight champion at 28-1, competes out of Eagles MMA and has long been among the most decorated fighters in the sport. Aliskerov's reference to Makhachev's past experience with a lingering substance appeared intended to provide context around how such cases have previously been handled and resolved.
Why it matters
- Gasanov's removal leaves Vagaev without an opponent, disrupting the card's lineup
- The case raises questions about how the UFC handles substances that appear in disclosures but persist in the system beyond their active use
- Aliskerov's public comments draw attention to a broader pattern of similar cases involving Russian fighters in combat sports
