Magomed 'Chanco' Zaynukov's heated reaction to the UFC 322 brawl with Dillon Danis: 'Not enough was done'
Magomed Zaynukov, the fearless fighter known as 'Chanco' to his fans, and 'John Pork' to some, had no regrets about his recent scuffle with Dillon Danis. The incident unfolded at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York, where Zaynukov and his teammate Islam Makhachev were set to witness Makhachev's welterweight title challenge against Jack Della Maddalena. However, before the main event, a heated exchange erupted between Chanco and several members of Makhachev's team, including Danis, leading to their removal from the event.
In a recent interview, Chanco revealed the catalyst for the brawl, expressing his frustration with Danis' actions. He stated, 'He had to answer for his words and actions, which were incomprehensible and inappropriate. There was no time to reflect; I flew in and delivered a right hook, sending him to the canvas. The situation escalated from there, and eventually, we were kicked out. It would have been better if we had watched the fight from the comfort of our hotel rooms.'
While Chanco didn't divulge the specifics of Danis' remarks, it's no secret that Danis has a history of controversy. He was famously sued by Nina Agdal, Logan Paul's wife, for his comments about her during the build-up to their boxing match. This incident appears to have mirrored that scenario, with Chanco and his team opting for a direct confrontation rather than legal action.
Zaynukov emphasized, 'I didn't know him personally, and I certainly didn't anticipate his presence in the arena. I thought he lacked the courage to confront me in such a setting. Perhaps he sought attention and wanted to create a stir. For some, it might be mere hype, but it's not our style. Our principles are different. He wrote about Islam and Khabib, my teammates and brothers, and I stand by them.'
Despite the brawl, no charges were filed, and no serious injuries were reported. UFC CEO Dana White announced that Danis is banned from future UFC events, and Zaynukov sustained only minor scratches on his knuckles. Chanco expressed his desire for a more substantial confrontation, believing that Danis' actions warranted a more severe response.
'I believe it wasn't enough,' Zaynukov stated. 'His actions didn't align with our values. Such behavior cannot be tolerated or forgiven. We hold ourselves accountable for our words and actions. Our way of life demands responsibility. If you utter something, you must be prepared to face the consequences.'
Zaynukov, an undefeated MMA prospect, recently signed with the UFC after a successful performance on Contender Series in October. His UFC debut remains unannounced, but his recent encounter with Danis has undoubtedly left a mark on his journey.
