UFC Fight Night: Magomed Zaynukov vs Damian Rzepecki Preview & Prediction
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Islam Makhachev's training partner, Magomed Zaynukov, makes his long awaited debut against prolific Polish finisher, Damian Rzpecki.
Magomed Zaynukov vs Damian Rzepecki facts
What time are Magomed Zaynukov and Damian Rzepecki expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs Guskov? Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs Guskov? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 282
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs Guskov on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs Guskov? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs Guskov main card
Magomed Ankalaev vs Bogdan Guskov (Light Heavyweight)
Steve Erceg vs Ramazan Temirov (Flyweight)
Islam Dulatov vs Wellington Turman (Welterweight)
Magomed Zaynukov vs Damian Rzepecki (Lightweight)
Rizvan Kuniev vs Tyrell Fortune (Heavyweight)
Abubakar Vagaev vs Saygid Izagakhmaev (Welterweight)
UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs Guskov prelims
Valter Walker vs Thomas Petersen (Heavyweight)
Dustin Jacoby vs Muhammad Said (Light Heavyweight)
Santiago Ponzinibbio vs Sam Patterson (Welterweight)
Ismael Bonfim vs Axel Sola (Lightweight)
Magomed Tuchalov vs Brendson Ribeiro (Light Heavyweight)
Nurullo Aliev vs Mike Davis (Lightweight)
Cody Gibson vs Abdul Hussein (Bantamweight)
Magomed Zaynukov: "John Pork" looks to banish the nickname forever with a show stopping performance
Better known to many UFC fans as “John Pork” despite his pleas for the nickname not to be used, Magomed Zaynukov (8-0) makes his long awaited UFC debut after earning a contract on the Contender Series last October, breaking the record for most significant strikes landed in a lightweight fight in the process. A former Muay Thai world champion and a training partner of Islam Makhachev, Zaynukov has elite shot selection and throws everything with perfect technique, leaning on his striking acumen to set up kicks and pick his opponents apart at range. He’s not necessarily a one shot KO threat, but he’s still dangerous, scoring stoppages on the feet in five of his eight MMA bouts to date.
Damian Rzepecki: "The Butcher" looks to score a notable scalp in his first UFC fight
A sparring partner of Ilia Topuria and undefeated in ten professional fights, Damian Rzepecki (10-0) makes his UFC debut after fighting most of his career on the Polish regional circuit. A prolific finisher with nine stoppages to his name, the 24 year old Pole has KO power and a submission game to boot, one that includes a particularly nasty rear naked choke that has earned him a win on four occasions. The former FEN champion is an extremely aggressive striker, charging forward relentlessly and targeting the body to set up fight ending shots to the head. While he hasn’t fought the stiffest levels of competition to date, “The Butcher” has still demolished nearly every opponent he’s faced.
Magomed Zaynukov vs Damian Rzepecki prediction
This is actually a stiff test for Zaynukov in his debut. Rzepecki hits extremely hard and will aggressively hunt submissions when he has his opponents hurt; it’s not out of the realms of possibility that he clobbers “Wild Chanco” with something unorthodox on the feet and chokes him out while he’s still wobbled. We’ve seen fighters with elite striking bases come undone in 4 oz gloves on the biggest stage before, just ask Gokhan Saki.
However, we’re still leaning towards Zaynukov here. As a decorated former Muay Thai fighter, the Russian has the technique and experience to win a volume striking battle against a dangerous power puncher like “The Butcher”; it’s easy to see him using Rzepecki’s aggression against him to ping him with power shots on the back foot. As a training partner of Islam Makhachev, it’s hard to imagine that he’s going to be out of his league on the ground either.
I like Zaynukov to produce a repeat of his Contender Series performance here, lighting Rzepecki up on the feet and pulling away in the numbers as the fight progresses to earn a clear cut decision. The Pole may land a few hard shots of his own, but it’s hard to bet on him starching a striker of this level. The pick is “John Pork” by decision.
Prediction: Magomed Zaynukov to win by decision
