The upcoming UFC Baku event has seen a fight canceled as Andreas Gustafsson is unable to compete due to significant health concerns.
The MMA promotion’s second visit to Azerbaijan’s capital for UFC Baku, scheduled for June 27th at the National Gymnastics Arena, has been affected by this withdrawal.
According to Swedish outlet Frontkick, Gustafsson has been removed from his scheduled welterweight bout against Daniil Donchenko because of a serious heart-related issue. Reports indicate that the fighter, known as “Bane,” has been experiencing atrial fibrillation and recurrent heart episodes that worsened during his training camp.
Despite maintaining good physical condition, the symptoms intensified, leading to his withdrawal from the fight. Consequently, the 35-year-old Swedish fighter must take a break from competition to focus on his health.
Gustafsson earned his UFC contract with a knockout win on Dana White’s Contender Series in August 2024 and made his Octagon debut in June 2025 with a decision victory. However, he suffered a knockout loss in his subsequent fight at UFC Paris. His professional record currently stands at 12 wins and 3 losses.
The status of his opponent, Daniil Donchenko, on the UFC Baku card remains uncertain. It is unclear if he will face a last-minute replacement or be removed from the event. Donchenko, a 24-year-old Ukrainian fighter, joined the UFC after a first-round knockout win on The Ultimate Fighter 33 in March 2025. His last outing was a unanimous decision victory at UFC Vegas 113 in February. He holds a professional record of 13 wins and 2 losses.
This is the second fight cancellation for the June 27th card, following Marvin Vettori’s withdrawal due to a broken rib.
UFC Baku Full Fight Card (as of May 25, 2026):
- Rafael Fiziev vs. Manuel Torres – lightweight (main event)
- Shara Magomedov vs. Michel Pereira – middleweight (co-main event)
- Ikram Aliskerov vs. Brunno Ferreira – middleweight
- Nursulton Ruziboev vs. Andrey Pulyaev – middleweight
- Asu Almabayaev vs. Charles Johnson – flyweight
- Nazim Sadykhov vs. Matheus Camilo – lightweight
- Abul Rakhman Yakhyaev vs. Julius Walker – light heavyweight
- Daniil Donchenko vs. TBA – welterweight
- Bekzat Almakhan vs. Jean Matsumoto – bantamweight
- Abusupiyan Magomedov vs. Michał Oleksiejczuk – middleweight
- Farman Hasanov vs. Eric Nolan – welterweight
- Rizvan Kuniev vs. Tyrell Fortune – heavyweight
- Ismail Naurdiev vs. TBA – middleweight
- Kaan Ofli vs. Javier Reyes – featherweight
