Undefeated prospect Zaynukov secures UFC debut against Rzepecki at Abu Dhabi on July 25

Magomed ‘Chanco’ Zaynukov will finally step into the UFC octagon on July 25, facing undefeated Polish prospect Damian Rzepecki at UFC Abu Dhabi in Etihad Arena. MMA Fighting confirmed the lightweight matchup on Tuesday, with Marcel Dorff first reporting the pairing.

Zaynukov (8-0) earned his UFC contract with a unanimous decision victory on the most recent season of Contender Series. An accomplished Muay Thai fighter and training partner of lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, the Dagestani fighter became an unlikely MMA meme after his nickname ‘Chanco’ was misheard as ‘John Pork’ — a moment that spread widely across social media. He was also present during the cageside brawl at UFC 322 involving Dillon Danis and members of the Eagle fight team.

Rzepecki (10-0) arrives as one of the more unusual signings in recent UFC history, having bypassed Contender Series entirely to earn his contract. The 24-year-old Pole is the former FEN lightweight champion and has finished nine of his ten opponents. His most recent outing was a unanimous decision win at Way of the Warrior, the Spanish MMA promotion co-owned by featherweight champion Ilia Topuria.

The all-unbeaten clash adds further intrigue to a card already headlined by a light heavyweight contest between former champion Magomed Ankalaev and former title challenger Khalil Rountree Jr. Zaynukov’s teammate Umar Nurmagomedov is also on the card, taking on David Martinez.