Magomedrasul Gasanov was removed from his scheduled UFC fight against Abubakar Vagaev after a substance in his system drew scrutiny from the promotion. According to his sparring partner Ikram Aliskerov, Gasanov provided records of everything he had taken over the prior six months and passed a follow-up test, but UFC flagged a banned substance that can remain detectable in the bloodstream for an extended period, leading to the cancellation of the fight.
Magomedrasul Gasanov has been pulled from his scheduled UFC matchup against Abubakar Vagaev after the promotion flagged a banned substance detected in his system, it was confirmed on June 24, 2026.
The situation came to light through Gasanov's sparring partner, Ikram Aliskerov, who spoke publicly about the circumstances surrounding the removal. According to Aliskerov, Gasanov submitted records of every substance he had consumed over the previous six months and subsequently passed a follow-up test. Despite that, the UFC moved to cancel the fight after identifying a banned substance that can remain detectable in the bloodstream for a prolonged period.
Aliskerov, a 33-year-old Russian middleweight fighting out of KHK MMA, carries an 18-2 professional record and is regarded as one of the more dangerous strikers in his division. The southpaw stands six feet tall with a 76-inch reach and lands an exceptional 6.86 significant strikes per minute at 64 percent accuracy, figures that place him among the elite in terms of both output and efficiency. He also adds a takedown threat, averaging 3.2 per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Gasanov's removal leaves Vagaev without an opponent, disrupting the card he was scheduled to appear on.
- The case highlights how certain substances can trigger anti-doping flags well after ingestion, complicating fighter eligibility determinations.
- Aliskerov's public account suggests Gasanov's camp believes the positive result was not intentional, though no formal clearance has been reported.
