Magomedrasul Gasanov was removed from his scheduled fight against Abubakar Vagaev after the UFC flagged a substance found in his system that the organization deemed unacceptable. According to Gasanov's sparring partner Ikram Aliskerov, Gasanov provided records of all substances taken over the past six months, subsequently passed a clean test, and has not used anything prohibited for some time. Aliskerov compared the situation to the meldonium cases that have ensnared other fighters, suggesting the substance persists in the body long after use and that the UFC acted on that basis.
Magomedrasul Gasanov has been pulled from his scheduled UFC bout against Abubakar Vagaev after the organization flagged a substance detected in his system, according to a public statement from his sparring partner Ikram Aliskerov.
Aliskerov, an 18-2 middleweight fighting out of KHK MMA in Russia, said Gasanov submitted records documenting every substance he had taken over the prior six months, subsequently cleared a follow-up test, and has not used anything prohibited for a significant period. The 33-year-old southpaw, who stands six feet tall with a 76-inch reach, drew a direct comparison to the wave of meldonium cases that has periodically surfaced in combat sports, suggesting the flagged substance lingers in the body long after an athlete stops taking it and that the UFC made its decision on that basis.
Why it matters
- Gasanov's removal leaves his scheduled opponent Abubakar Vagaev without a fight, creating a gap on the card.
- The meldonium comparison raises questions about how the UFC's testing protocols handle substances with extended detection windows.
- No official suspension has been confirmed, and Aliskerov's account indicates Gasanov believes he can demonstrate his compliance.
The details shared publicly so far come entirely through Aliskerov rather than Gasanov himself or the UFC, and the organization has not issued a formal statement based on the information available. Gasanov's next steps — whether he pursues a formal appeal or awaits further testing — remain unclear from what has been reported.
