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Damian Rzepecki’s UFC debut is now behind us. The Polish fighter faced Magomed Zaynukov in Abu Dhabi.
The former FEN champion, somewhat surprisingly, made it into the world’s largest MMA organization without having to compete in Dana White’s Contender Series. Rzepecki boasted an impeccable 10-0 record, and he finished as many as 9 of those fights early—either by forcing his opponents to submit or by knocking them out.
Today, he faced a major challenge. Magomed Zaynukov, also known as “Chanco,” was also making his debut on the biggest stage. The fighter from Dagestan is a member of Islam Makhachev’s team, and like the Polish “Butcher,” he, too, has never tasted defeat. He earned his UFC contract by defeating Caldas by unanimous decision during last year’s DWCS season.
Round 1 – Rzepecki took the center of the cage. Zaynukov attacked with a dropping knee. The Pole locked in a clinch, during which “Chanko” struck with his elbows. Damian locked in a body lock and pinned his opponent against the fence. Zaynukov slowly broke free and landed knees to the ribs. Rzepecki wore down Zaynukov by pressing him against the fence. “Chanko” turned the tables, attempting a takedown, but “The Butcher’s” defense held up as it should. A good straight punch from the Pole, but Zaynukov responded with a series of combinations. Zaynukov stopped Damian with kicks and landed hard elbows. The Russian clinched, but Rzepecki quickly reversed the position… only to find that nothing came of it. Zaynukov broke free with a left hook. A good kick from the Pole; Zaynukov responded, but Rzepecki didn’t leave the action unanswered… until he was poked in the eye. Damian needed two minutes, but he returned to the fight. Zaynukov immediately tried to pounce on Rzepecki, unleashing dangerous combinations. “The Butcher” responded, and at the end of the round, he even threw the Russian to the mat. Damian slipped briefly after getting back on his feet, exposing himself to a powerful knee from “Chanko.”
Round 2 – Rzepecki started boldly with a kick to the leg, but Zaynukov countered with a powerful right. The Pole kept the pressure on, closed in, and threatened with a dangerous roundhouse kick! Zaynukov defended “The Butcher’s” clinch attempt and took Damian down himself. Rzepecki rained elbows from the bottom onto the Russian’s head, who was unable to keep Damian on the canvas. Rzepecki spun around with his elbow! A moment later (by accident?), he dodged Zaynukov’s counterattack. The Pole clinched again and pinned “Chanko” against the cage. A great middle kick from Rzepecki, and he also dodged Zaynukov’s punch. However, the significant strike stats after 1.5 rounds were brutal—30 to 5 in “Chanko’s” favor. Rzepecki couldn’t keep his opponent against the cage, and when the clinch broke, he took a serious beating. Trouble for the Pole, who was loudly supported by a sizeable group of fans. Zaynukov rained elbows in the clinch, and Rzepecki was covered in blood. He looked to land a kick to the Russian’s head and even spun around to land a spinning kick to the torso. Zaynukov landed a straight punch, followed it up with an elbow, and then stopped the Pole’s attack with a front block. Rzepecki’s moves became quite predictable, which worked to “Chanko’s” advantage.
Round 3 – Trailing on the judges’ scorecards, Rzepecki applied pressure, boxing and kicking Zaynukov. The Pole looked to take the fight to the ground, but the Russian escaped to his feet fairly easily. A moment later, he also easily dodged a kick to the head. “The Butcher” moved well under “Chanko’s” hook, locked up in a clinch, and coach Pepłowski urged him to break free and strike Zaynukov. Rzepecki looked to go on the offensive, but Zaynukov dodged his attacks with ease. Damian was now only taking isolated strikes from his opponent, while he himself landed some elbows against the cage. “Chanko” broke free from the clinch and landed a straight punch to the head. Rzepecki tried for a backfist, but he was too close. Rzepecki instinctively went for the clinch, but he’d break away to strike from a standing position. “Chanko” dominated and pounded “The Butcher,” who had no intention of giving up. Rzepecki looked for a way to knock out Zaynukov, who was ruthless that evening.
Result: Magoned Zaynukov won by unanimous decision.
Magomed Zayunkov aka Chanco aka John Pork finally getting to make his ufc debut after losing so much momentum coming off dwcs & beating the crap out of Dillon Danis
— Kevin Thang (@Skip2MyJays) July 25, 2026
Strong win over an undefeated damian rzepecki
He’s much more than just a meme #ufcabudhabi pic.twitter.com/dS5ibz5T8B
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