Magomed Zaynukov doesn’t fear UFC fighters after training with Islam Makhachev, Usman Nurmagomedov

Training with the elite of the MMA lightweight division gives Magomed Zaynukov plenty of confidence that he’ll do just fine competing in the world’s biggest promotions.

Unbeaten in six professional bouts and scheduled to face Shakhmar Sadygov at UAE Warriors 58 this Saturday in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, “Wild Chanco” remains focused on getting the job done and handing Sadygov his first pro loss. He also aims to move one step closer to his ultimate dream of joining the UFC.

“My plan is to win this fight and hopefully during the summer, I want to fight in Contender Series,” Zaynukov told MMA Fighting through a translator. “And of course, every fighter who has a dream, his dream is to go to the UFC. I have been there in the U.S. with Islam Makhachev during his camp, and I’ve been around the UFC staff. I see how they take care of everybody. It’s the best promotion in the world, you know? And of course, one day I want to end up there, but for now we have to do work and we’re here to work.”

Makhachev is the UFC lightweight champion and No. 1 fighter in the MMA Fighting Pound-for-Pound Rankings, and Zaynukov said “we work together all the time.” He’s not the only lightweight titleholder that trains with Zaynukov, though. In fact, “Wild Chanco” also works with MMA champions Gadzhi Rabadanov (PFL), Usman Nurmagomedov (Bellator), and Amru Magomedov (UAE Warriors).

“I have seen UFC fighters fight. I watch them, and I don’t see anything special in my division, to be honest,” Zaynukov said. “I’m fully capable of fighting straight in the UFC. I think my level is at this point now where I train with Islam Makhachev, pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter. He’s the UFC champion.

“Usman Nurmagomedov, he’s the Bellator champion. Gadzhi Rabadanov, he’s a PFL champion. All in my division, lightweight division, so I have the best sparring partners and teammates, and I don’t think the fighters in the UFC have a higher level than my teammates. So yeah, if they send me straight to UFC, I’ll be able to fight without a Contender Series. But I don’t want to think that far. I have a job in front of me and then we’re going to get it done.”

Zaynukov said he feels ready to face Sadygov in every aspect of the game but expects is to play out mostly on the feet. The former muay Thai champion scored five of his six pro MMA wins via knockout.

“I cannot tell you how we’re gonna get the job done,” Zaynukov said, “But, of course, we break his fights down with the team and everybody make mistakes. Everybody has holes, so does my next opponent. And we know how to fight. We know where the fight is gonna take place and what we’re gonna do to get the job done.”

Zaynukov is not looking to insert his name in the conversation for a shot at the gold with a win Saturday as his teammate Magomedov currently sits at the top of the 155-pound class and is set to defend his belt in the main event of UFC Warriors 58 opposite UFC veteran Alex da Silva. But if Magomedov for some reason vacates the belt to join a different promotion next, then Zaynukov will go for it.

“Everybody want the shiny belt,” Zaynukov said. “Of course I wanna fight for the belt. In that case, if Amru vacates the belt, of course I want to. And it doesn’t matter against who. Anybody, I’ll fight for the belt against anybody.”