Magomedrasul Gasanov was removed from his scheduled fight against Abubakar Vagaev after the UFC flagged a substance found in his medical records, according to Gasanov's sparring partner Ikram Aliskerov. Aliskerov said Gasanov provided documentation of all substances used over the past six months and returned clean tests, but the UFC required additional retesting over a compound that remains detectable in the bloodstream for an extended period. Aliskerov drew a comparison to the meldonite cases that previously affected other fighters, suggesting the substance was a common supplement rather than a performance-enhancing drug.
Magomedrasul Gasanov has been pulled from his scheduled UFC bout against Abubakar Vagaev after the promotion flagged a substance identified in his medical records, according to Gasanov's sparring partner Ikram Aliskerov.
Aliskerov, speaking on Gasanov's behalf, said the fighter submitted documentation covering all substances he had used over the previous six months and subsequently returned clean test results. Despite that, the UFC required additional retesting because the flagged compound remains detectable in the bloodstream for an extended period. Aliskerov compared the situation to the meldonium cases that ensnared several fighters in years past, characterizing the substance as a common supplement rather than a performance-enhancing drug.
Aliskerov himself is no stranger to the spotlight inside the UFC's middleweight division. The 33-year-old Russian carries an 18-2 record and trains out of KHK MMA. Fighting out of a southpaw stance with a six-foot frame and a 76-inch reach, he has built a reputation as a high-output striker, landing 6.86 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 64 percent. He also adds a wrestling dimension, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Gasanov's removal leaves Vagaev without an opponent, potentially affecting upcoming event planning.
- The case echoes past substance controversies where fighters faced delays despite claiming the flagged compound was a routine supplement.
- The UFC's decision to demand further retesting rather than accept the initial clean results suggests heightened scrutiny around the specific compound involved.
