Dallas, prepare yourself for some “John Pork.”
According to multiple reports, Magomed Zaynukov, aka “Wild Chanko” aka “John Pork” will return to the octagon on January 16th, 2027 at UFC Fight Night 296 in Dallas, Texas. He’ll face 12-0 UFC newcomer Piero Guaylupo, who punched his ticket into the promotion with a September win on Dana White’s Contender Series.
Guaylupo is Peruvian and the fight was first announced by regional news source MMA.pe. Zaynukov also confirmed he was back in camp and training
for a fight, although he wouldn’t confirm a name or date.
“A fight has been set, though the date hasn’t been finalized yet,” he recently told Russian outlet Okko MMA. “I’m currently in preparation. I actually had surgery, and I’m just now getting back into the swing of things … Once it’s official, the UFC will announce it, and then it’ll be clear who I’m fighting.”
Zaynukov came into the UFC from Contender Series with a lot of hype but has only fought once (legally) since that October 2025 event: a July 2026 decision win over Damian Rzepecki in Abu Dhabi.
“I’d like to break into the top rankings as soon as possible so I can start competing for the belt, to get that much closer to the title,” Zaynukov said. “If I can break into the top rankings quickly, I’d be willing to fight just about anyone. There are a lot of young fighters in the top ranks these days, they only need one or two wins to get there. I’d like to be matched up against someone in the top 15 so I can climb the rankings faster.”
Guaylupo isn’t that, but Zaynukov isn’t in any position to make big demands from UFC matchmakers. There were big questions surrounding whether “Chanko” would be able to enter the United States again after he instigated a brawl in the crowd at UFC 322 which caught the attention of NYPD and the mayor of NYC.
If Zaynukov can even enter the U.S. to fight in Dallas, that’ll be a win. Then he has to beat the undefeated Guaylupo if he wants to move forward and get a crack at someone in the top 15.
