Magomedrasul Gasanov was removed from his scheduled fight against Abubakar Vagaev after the UFC flagged a substance found during his drug testing. According to fellow fighter and Gasanov sparring partner Ikram Aliskerov, the substance in question is a long-lasting compound similar to meldonium that remains in the body well after use, and Gasanov's recent clean tests were not sufficient to prevent the UFC from pulling the bout. Aliskerov insisted Gasanov's physical condition has not changed since leaving ACB, where performance-enhancing drugs are not prohibited.
Magomedrasul Gasanov has been removed from his scheduled UFC bout against Abubakar Vagaev after the promotion flagged a banned substance detected during drug testing, the organization confirmed ahead of the planned matchup.
The situation came to light largely through comments from Ikram Aliskerov, a sparring partner and fellow fighter who offered context on the failed test. Aliskerov, a 33-year-old Russian middleweight fighting out of KHK MMA, described the flagged compound as a long-lasting substance similar to meldonium — one that persists in the body well after a fighter has stopped using it. He argued that Gasanov's more recent clean test results should have been taken into account, but they were ultimately not enough to satisfy the UFC's requirements to keep the fight on. Aliskerov also pointed out that Gasanov had competed in ACB, a promotion that does not prohibit performance-enhancing drugs, suggesting his physical condition has not changed since leaving that organization.
Aliskerov himself is an active and accomplished fighter, carrying an 18-2 record and bringing a notably aggressive striking game to the middleweight division. He lands 6.86 significant strikes per minute at a 64 percent accuracy rate, and adds 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes to his arsenal. Standing six feet tall with a 76-inch reach, the southpaw is considered one of the more well-rounded fighters on the UFC's middleweight roster.
Why it matters
- Gasanov's removal leaves Vagaev without an opponent, potentially disrupting card planning
- The case raises questions about how legacy drug exposure from non-tested promotions is handled under UFC anti-doping policy
- Aliskerov's public defense of his teammate puts a prominent active fighter in the middle of an ongoing anti-doping dispute
