Undefeated Zaynukov rules out UFC Qatar bout, sidelined by hand surgery until 2027

Magomed Zaynukov has confirmed he will not fight at UFC Qatar in November, shutting down speculation over a potential matchup with Manoel Sousa and revealing his return to competition is now pencilled in for 2027.

The undefeated Dagestani lightweight, who carries a 9-0 record, addressed the rumors directly on his Instagram Stories after reports circulated linking him to the November card. “I didn’t sign any contract for this fight,” Zaynukov wrote. “I won’t be fighting this year due to surgery. I’m currently undergoing rehabilitation and recovery.”

Zaynukov underwent surgery earlier this year to address a lingering hand injury. While the 31-year-old has since resumed training, he made clear that a competitive return in 2026 is off the table as his recovery continues.

Known by the nickname “Wild Chanco”, Zaynukov built a sizeable fanbase largely through his association with UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev before he had even set foot inside the Octagon. He earned his UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series and made his promotional debut this past July, delivering a composed unanimous decision victory over Damian Rzepecki.

The win extended his unbeaten professional record and marked a promising start to his UFC career, but the hand injury has since interrupted what looked like an accelerating trajectory. With the surgery now behind him and rehabilitation underway, Zaynukov’s camp appears content to take the necessary time before committing to a next opponent.

At 9-0 and still only 31, Zaynukov remains one of the more intriguing prospects in the UFC’s lightweight division. His connection to the Makhachev camp and his clean professional record ensure that whenever he does return in 2027, the matchmaking interest around him will be considerable.