Coach Javier Mendez claims Magomed
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

Thad
Jean believes he is on par with the top three welterweights in
the
Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Jean (12-0) won the
Professional Fighters League welterweight championship with a
third-round stoppage win over Ernesto
Rodriguez. Despite stepping up on 48 hours' notice, Rodriguez
gave Jean all he could handle, even knocking “Silverback†down in
the second round. However, Jean survived the scare and came back to
finish an exhausted Rodriguez in the third round.

Thad Jean slams fans who diminish PFL championship

While many consider UFC fighters the best in the world, Jean
believes he can stand his own against the best welterweights in the
world. According to the American, only casual fans consider PFL
fighters lesser than UFC fighters. While Jean knows he will face
backlash for his opinion, the undefeated PFL champion claims he
could win a title in the UFC.

“I’m up there. I’m top three,†Jean told Ariel Helwani. “I know
people talk trash about the PFL and say, ‘Oh, because you’re in the
PFL, you’re nothing.' The level of fighters in the PFL is just as
high as the people in the UFC. And the reason you don’t understand
that, the reason you don’t think so, is because you’re a casual.
You’re not a true MMA fan. You don't understand the game as much as
you hope or think you do. I’m at the top of the PFL [welterweight]
division. I’m the champion and there’s nothing that would stop me
from being the welterweight champion in the UFC.â€

Jean joined the PFL in 2023 after just four bouts. The 28-year-old
won the PFL welterweight tournament in 2025 with notable wins over
Mukhamed
Berkhamov, Jason
Jackson and Logan
Storley.

Meanwhile, the UFC welterweight title will be contested at UFC
330 on Aug. 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, where
Islam
Makhachev will look to record his first title defense at 170
pounds against Ireland's Ian
Garry.

A lightweight
title fight headlines PFL NY: Tune on Friday, July 31 at 7 p.m. ET
on ESPN.

Thad Jean has
no doubt where he’d rank among the UFC’s welterweights:

“I’m up there. I’m top 3. I know people talk trash about the PFL
and say because you’re in the PFL, you’re nothing.

The level of fighters in the PFL is just as high as the people in
the UFC. The reason you… pic.twitter.com/MxvueeNCUs

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani)
July 28, 2026

Most Valuable Promotions and Matchroom Boxing have joined
forces in a landmark partnership aimed at accelerating the growth
of women’s boxing.

The two promotional powerhouses announced in a press release that
they have entered a long-term strategic alliance focused on
creating more world championship opportunities, premium events and
greater commercial investment for female fighters.

Most Valuable Promotions and Matchroom Boxing launch long-term
alliance to create bigger fights and opportunities for female
fighters

The partnership combines MVP’s growing investment in women’s boxing
with Matchroom’s global promotional network and roster, creating
new opportunities for female fighters. Under the agreement, the two
promotions will collaborate on career-defining matchups while
continuing to expand the global reach of women’s boxing.

“Since launching MVPW, our goal has been to build the biggest
platform in the world for women’s boxing and create transformative
opportunities for female fighters at every stage of their careers,”
MVP co-founders Jake Paul and
Nakisa Bidarian said in a joint statement. “Partnering with
Matchroom Boxing is another major step toward that vision.
Historically, Matchroom played an instrumental role in elevating
women’s boxing globally, and together we have an opportunity to
create even bigger moments for the sport and the athletes driving
it forward.”

The announcement coincided with MVP unveiling reigning WBC super
bantamweight champion Skye Nicolson as the first fighter to compete
under the new partnership. The Australian standout, who previously
fought under the Matchroom banner, will make her MVP debut on Aug.
29 in Birmingham, England, when she defends her 122-pound crown
against former two-division titlist Miyo
Yoshida in the main event of MVPW-06.

“Women’s boxing is entering a new era, and I want to be right at
the center of it,” Nicolson said in a separate press release. “This
partnership with MVP and Matchroom gives me the opportunity to
chase legacy, compete in the biggest fights out there, and help
continue pushing women’s boxing forward.”

The agreement represents one of the most significant collaborations
between major boxing promoters in recent years, with both companies
pledging to work together to strengthen the long-term landscape of
women’s boxing rather than compete for its top talent.