UFC 322 was a huge weekend for Magomed Zaynukov — the fighter reluctantly known as “John Pork” — despite the fact that the Dagestani kickboxing champion didn’t have a scheduled fight on the card.
Buoyed by the viral success of a nickname he hates, Zaynukov was front and center on social media all week leading up to UFC’s big Madison Square Garden card. Fans were already hot on him after his impressive Contender Series win earned him a spot on UFC’s roster just last month.
He hasn’t taken off his Contender
Series jersey (or big smile) since winning, and that’s earned him points for being likeable and genuine.
Then there’s his nickname — his other nickname. His actual nickname is “Chanco” after the village he grew up in; however, with a Russian accent “Chanco” sometimes comes out sounding like “John Pork” … and now everyone in North America is obsessed with calling him that. If Zaynukov is going to be more than just a meme fighter, he’ll have to do something spectacular.
And you could argue he did at UFC 322.
Just as the main card was starting, a brawl erupted cageside involving Islam Makhachev’s entourage and social media provocateur Dillon Danis. Footage from the fracas captured “Chanco” hitting Danis from behind with several big punches. And while he was ejected from Madison Square Garden and possibly faces sanctions for his actions, the MMA scene in general was thrilled.
In new footage, Zaynukov received a standing ovation and cheers of “Chanco” from fellow gym members after he returned to Dagestan. After years of posting degrading and racist attacks toward their country and religion, Danis isn’t very popular there. Zaynukov taking the opportunity to shut him up in person is liable to make him a new international favorite.
But, when will we see Magomed Zaynukov in UFC’s cage?
We have no doubt UFC will want to capitalize on the sudden popularity of their latest Contender Series stand-out. But, we have to wonder if commissions will be as laissez-faire about the brawl and sucker punching as UFC is.
Zaynukov might thread a needle there. If he was already booked to fight, he’d be under the oversight of a commission and liable for punishment. Now, UFC will just have to book him in one of the regions where friendly regulators are loathe to give UFC any trouble.
