Magomedrasul Gasanov was removed from his scheduled UFC fight against Abubakar Vagaev after a substance in his system drew objections from the promotion. According to his sparring partner Ikram Aliskerov, Gasanov tested clean but UFC flagged a particular compound that stays in the bloodstream for an extended period, drawing a comparison to the meldonium cases that previously affected other fighters including Islam Makhachev.
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.
According to Ikram Aliskerov, Gasanov's sparring partner, the fighter returned a clean test but the UFC took issue with a particular compound that can remain present in the bloodstream for a prolonged period. Aliskerov drew a parallel to the meldonium controversy that previously entangled several fighters, including welterweight champion Islam Makhachev.
Aliskerov, a 33-year-old Russian middleweight competing out of KHK MMA, carries an 18-2 record and is one of the more active strikers on the roster. Standing six feet tall with a 76-inch reach, he lands 6.86 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 64 percent, making him a credible voice on matters within his training circle.
Makhachev, the welterweight champion and the top-ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the sport, holds a 28-1 record and competes out of Eagles MMA. The 34-year-old Russian was among those affected by the meldonium situation that drew widespread attention across combat sports in previous years, giving the comparison made by Aliskerov added context.
Why it matters
- Gasanov's removal leaves his bout against Vagaev without a confirmed replacement, creating uncertainty for that slot on the card.
- The meldonium comparison raises broader questions about how long-lingering substances are handled under UFC anti-doping protocols.
- No official statement from Gasanov's camp or the UFC has been issued, meaning key details around the specific compound and next steps remain unconfirmed.
