“Wild Chanco” Magomed Zaynukov had already arrived within the UFC with an unbeaten report and an internet-famous nickname. Then one entrance kick gave followers a brand new purpose to share clips from his July 25 win over Damian Rzepecki.
At UFC Abu Dhabi, Zaynukov beat Rzepecki by unanimous determination, with all three judges returning 30-27 scores. The outcome moved the Dagestani light-weight to 9-0 in skilled MMA and handed Rzepecki his first defeat after he entered at 10-0.
“Wild Chanco” Magomed Zaynukov: The kick everybody noticed
The second spreading on-line got here throughout Zaynukov’s placing assault: a entrance kick reached Rzepecki’s face, with Zaynukov’s toes and a part of his foot going into the Polish fighter’s mouth. The affect dislodged Rzepecki’s mouthguard, creating the form of freeze-frame that appears even stranger in a nonetheless picture than it does at full pace.
It was a authorized strike, although it was an uncomfortable visible for anybody watching close-up. Entrance kicks can disrupt an opponent’s rhythm and arrange punches. This one discovered a way more uncommon touchdown spot, and the mouthguard turned collateral injury.
The viral clip got here inside a powerful first UFC efficiency from Zaynukov. He used entrance kicks to assault Rzepecki’s lead leg and head, defended a number of wrestling makes an attempt, landed knees and repeatedly punished clinch entries with elbows. Rzepecki had moments of stress early, however Zaynukov took over the placing exchanges because the struggle developed.
Within the second spherical, Zaynukov landed laborious elbows that opened Rzepecki up, then continued to search out success at vary. Rzepecki saved seeking to shut distance and wrestle, however Zaynukov resisted the grappling work and made him pay within the clinch. By the third, he was touchdown entrance kicks, elbows and proper arms whereas Rzepecki struggled to supply offense at distance.
Zaynukov later mentioned he believed he had probabilities to complete the struggle however needed three rounds of Octagon time to show his full placing recreation. That alternative paid off: he left Abu Dhabi with a transparent win, prolonged footage for followers to look at, and a mouthguard clip which will outlive the scorecards on social media.
“Wild Chanco” is Zaynukov’s nickname, however many UFC followers started calling him “John Pork” after listening to coach Islam Makhachev use “Chanco” and the welterweight champ misinterpreting it. The combo-up became a working meme earlier than Zaynukov even made his UFC debut.
The nickname chatter has adopted a fighter with actual credentials. Zaynukov is a former Muay Thai champion who earned his UFC contract by means of Dana White’s Contender Collection, and he confirmed why the promotion introduced him in by retaining an unbeaten report intact in opposition to one other undefeated prospect.
