One of the most entertaining subplots in MMA right now just got a fight date. Marcel Dorff confirmed on X that Magomed Zaynukov meets Damian Rzepecki in an undefeated versus undefeated lightweight matchup at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 25.
How “John Pork” Became the Most Famous Unfought Fighter in MMA
The entire saga began when Demetrious Johnson visited Islam Makhachev’s training camp, and Makhachev introduced Magomed Zaynukov by his nickname ‘Chanco.’
His Dagestani accent made it sound almost identical to ‘John Pork,’ and the internet did the rest. Fans flooded his social media with pig emojis and memes, and when ‘Wild Chanco’ publicly asked people to stop, it only made the joke louder.
By the time UFC 322 press conference week arrived, “John Pork” chants nearly took over Madison Square Garden despite Magomed Zaynukov not having a single UFC fight to his name. Both Makhachev and Zaynukov have repeatedly asked fans to drop it. It has not worked once.
The Dillon Danis Brawl That Got Magomed Zaynukov aka John Pork Banned
At UFC 322, Magomed Zaynukov clashed with Dillon Danis in the crowd, explaining afterward that Danis had been posting disrespectful content about Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and their team.
Zaynukov said in his culture you answer for that kind of disrespect, and he did exactly that. Dana White subsequently banned Danis from attending future UFC events.
Anshul Jubli Fight Fell Through
Before this matchup materialised, ‘Wild Chanco’ had been linked to a fight with Indian fighter Anshul Jubli: a bout that would have carried its own storyline given Jubli’s popularity in South Asia. That never got confirmed.
Instead, he gets Damian Rzepecki, another unbeaten fighter, and a chance to finally let the fighting do the talking on July 25 in Abu Dhabi.
Also read: UFC 329 Bout in Jeopardy After Injury Withdrawal
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