“Wild Chanco” Magomed Zaynukov had already arrived in the UFC with an unbeaten record and an internet-famous nickname. Then one front kick gave fans a new reason to share clips from his July 25 win over Damian Rzepecki.
At UFC Abu Dhabi, Zaynukov beat Rzepecki by unanimous decision, with all three judges returning 30-27 scores. The result moved the Dagestani lightweight to 9-0 in professional MMA and handed Rzepecki his first defeat after he entered at 10-0.
“Wild Chanco” Magomed Zaynukov: The kick everyone saw
The moment spreading online came during Zaynukov’s striking attack: a front kick reached Rzepecki’s face, with Zaynukov’s toes and part of his foot going into the Polish fighter’s mouth. The impact dislodged Rzepecki’s mouthguard, creating the kind of freeze-frame that looks even stranger in a still image than it does at full speed.
It was a legal strike, though it was an uncomfortable visual for anyone watching close-up. Front kicks can disrupt an opponent’s rhythm and set up punches. This one found a much more unusual landing spot, and the mouthguard became collateral damage.
The viral clip came inside a strong first UFC performance from Zaynukov. He used front kicks to attack Rzepecki’s lead leg and head, defended several wrestling attempts, landed knees and repeatedly punished clinch entries with elbows. Rzepecki had moments of pressure early, but Zaynukov took over the striking exchanges as the fight developed.
In the second round, Zaynukov landed hard elbows that opened Rzepecki up, then continued to find success at range. Rzepecki kept looking to close distance and wrestle, but Zaynukov resisted the grappling work and made him pay in the clinch. By the third, he was landing front kicks, elbows and right hands while Rzepecki struggled to produce offense at distance.
Zaynukov later said he believed he had chances to finish the fight but wanted three rounds of Octagon time to display his full striking game. That choice paid off: he left Abu Dhabi with a clear win, extended footage for fans to examine, and a mouthguard clip that may outlive the scorecards on social media.
“Wild Chanco” is Zaynukov’s nickname, but many UFC fans began calling him “John Pork” after hearing coach Islam Makhachev use “Chanco” and the welterweight champ misinterpreting it. The mix-up turned into a running meme before Zaynukov even made his UFC debut.
The nickname chatter has followed a fighter with real credentials. Zaynukov is a former Muay Thai champion who earned his UFC contract through Dana White’s Contender Series, and he showed why the promotion brought him in by keeping an unbeaten record intact against another undefeated prospect.
