Magomedrasul Gasanov was removed from his scheduled bout against Abubakar Vagaev after UFC flagged a substance detected in his system. Sparring partner Ikram Aliskerov explained that Gasanov had submitted records of all substances used over the past six months and passed a follow-up test, but a long-lasting prohibited compound — possibly a residual from a previously permitted supplement — led to the fight being cancelled.
Magomedrasul Gasanov has been withdrawn from his scheduled UFC bout against Abubakar Vagaev after the promotion detected a prohibited substance in his system, with the fight subsequently cancelled.
Details of the removal were provided publicly by Gasanov's sparring partner Ikram Aliskerov, who shed light on the circumstances surrounding the positive flag. According to Aliskerov, Gasanov submitted documentation covering every substance he had used over the prior six months and also cleared a follow-up test. Despite those steps, a long-lasting prohibited compound remained detectable in his system — potentially a residual trace from a supplement that had previously been permitted — and the UFC ultimately pulled the fight.
Aliskerov himself is a middleweight contender who carries real credibility as a source close to the situation. The 33-year-old Russian, who trains with KHK MMA, holds an 18-2-0 professional record and fights out of a southpaw stance at six feet tall with a 76-inch reach. He is one of the more prolific strikers in his division, landing 6.86 significant strikes per minute at a 64 percent accuracy rate, and also contributes on the grappling side with 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Gasanov's removal leaves Vagaev without an opponent, creating a scheduling gap the UFC will need to address.
- The case highlights how residual compounds from previously approved supplements can still trigger anti-doping flags even when an athlete believes they are compliant.
- Gasanov's submission of a six-month substance log and a clean follow-up test may factor into any subsequent review process, though no formal outcome has been announced.
