MMA
Javier Mendez explains why UFC Prospect Magomed Zaynukov is ‘total MMA package’
Published
3 weeks agoon
Zaynukov is a well-rounded fighter.
Muay thai specialist Zaynukov (9-0) stands out in Khabib
Nurmagomedov's team, which is known for its dominant
wrestling-heavy approach. However, Mendez claims Zaynukov has
developed a well-rounded arsenal and has the potential to emerge as
a big star in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Javier Mendez explains why Magomed Zaynukov's wrestling growth
makes him more than a Muay Thai specialist
The
American Kickboxing Academy head coach claims Zaynukov gives
Islam
Makhachev tough rounds in sparring as he has sharpened his
wrestling defense and has even accrued some ground attacks. Mendez
also believes that “Wild Chanco†will grow into a fan favorite,
given his fighting style.
“Chanco gives Islam some really tough rounds because he's gotten
really good at defending and surviving on the ground and getting
back up,†Mendez told Red Corner MMA. “Or even attacking on the
ground. ‘Chanco' is a total MMA package. Don't look at him as just
a Thai boxer. He's a total package. He can do it all… He likes to
strike because that's what he's done his whole life… People
normally tend to like the strikers over the ground guys. So
‘Chanco' is going to be a fan favorite for sure.â€
Zaynukov earned a contract on
Dana White's Contender Series last year and made his UFC debut
against Damian
Rzepecki at
UFC Abu Dhabi. He battered Rzepecki with a variety of strikes,
including some flashy elbows, en route to a decision win.
“Chanko is a total MMA package. Don't look
at him as just a Thai boxer.â€Earlier this year, we caught up with coach Javier Mendez, who spoke
highly of Magomed “Chanko†Zaynukov, calling him a complete mixed
martial artist with all the tools to become a UFC fan favourite
and… pic.twitter.com/koOENnlzWG— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA)
July 29, 2026
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MMA
Anthony Smith pleads not guilty to four felony charges in Nebraska
Published
7 hours agoon
August 18, 2026
Smith has pleaded not guilty to four felony charges stemming
from a July domestic incident in Nebraska.
Court records confirmed
Smith’s plea, resulting in the cancellation of an arraignment
scheduled for Aug. 17. The former
Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight title
challenger is now due back in court for a status hearing Sept. 21
in Sarpy County.
Former UFC title challenger Anthony Smith faces four felony
charges stemming from an alleged July domestic incident in Gretna,
Nebraska
Smith faces one Class 2 felony count involving an attempted Class 1
offense, a terroristic-threats charge and two counts of
first-degree false imprisonment, all classified as Class 3A
felonies. A Class 2 felony in Nebraska can carry a prison term of
one to 50 years, while Class 3A felonies carry up to three years of
imprisonment and 18 months of post-release supervision.
Prosecutors allege that Smith became involved in an altercation
with his wife at a Gretna, Nebraska, bar on July 26. They claim
Smith threatened to kill his wife, forced her into his vehicle and
later attempted to strike her with the vehicle after she exited it.
His wife was not physically injured, according to prosecutors’
account.
Smith has not publicly addressed the allegations. His wife, Mikhala
Renee Newman, previously offered a different characterization of
the incident, saying Smith was experiencing a mental health crisis
and that she had sought help to protect him from himself.
MMA
Glover Teixeira likes the idea of Alex Pereira facing Josh Hokit to earn another heavyweight title shot: 'Knock his ass out'
Published
8 hours agoon
August 18, 2026

Former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira plans to stay at heavyweight.
Pereira moved up to heavyweight at UFC White House as he took on Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title. However, Pereira suffered a knockout loss, as the size and power of Gane proved to be the difference.
After the loss, whether Pereira would stay at heavyweight was unclear, but his coach, Glover Teixeira, said that is the plan.
“He's going to stay at heavyweight; that's the plan,†Teixeira said to Ariel Helwani. … “He wants to fight all the time, but it's good to take time, he fought back-to-back for so long. He wants to fight. Alex always wants to fight.â€
Alex Pereira could face Josh Hokit next
Once Pereira is ready to return, Teixeira isn't sure who will be next for him. The goal is to get back to a heavyweight title shot, so Teixeira believes Josh Hokit could be a logical opponent.
“The plan with them, because Alex is a huge name and an exciting fighter to watch, and he sells. Some fight they will put him right back into the title. For him, pretty much any fight. Maybe we get this fight (Josh Hokit). He's talking a lot of shit. Go over there and knock his ass out and get back to the top, and then get the rematch,†Teixeira said.
Whether or not the UFC has any interest in that fight is unclear. But, on paper, it does make sense, as the winner would likely get a title shot, which is what this fight would do. And, Hokit has been talking trash about Pereira, so the storyline is there to be a co-main event of a numbered card.
Pereira is 13-4 as a pro and is coming off a TKO loss to Gane. He's 10-3 in the UFC and the former middleweight & light heavyweight champion.
Would you like to see Alex Pereira face Josh Hokit next?
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
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