The upcoming UFC event in Qatar just got a major upgrade with the addition of an exciting lightweight matchup. According to Brazilian MMA reporter Laerte Viana and confirmed by Heavy’s Marcel Dorff, Russia’s Magomed Zaykunov will face off against Brazil’s Manoel Sousa on November 21 at the Ali Bin Hamad al-Attiyah Arena in Al Rayyan, Qatar.
Magomed Zaykunov, a promising lightweight prospect and teammate of UFC welterweight champ Islam Makhachev, stands out because he prefers striking exchanges over wrestling, making his fights particularly thrilling to watch. Known as “Wild Chanco” or the viral “John Pork,” Zaykunov holds an undefeated 9-0 record. He earned his UFC contract after a hard-fought decision victory over Lucas Caldas on Dana White’s Contender Series in October 2025. After some time off, Zaykunov debuted in the UFC with a decision win over Damian Rzepecki at UFC Abu Dhabi in July. Now, he’s set to clash with Sousa in what promises to be a striking-filled battle.
Manoel Sousa is a fearsome knockout artist with a 15-1 record, also a Dana White’s Contender Series alum, having secured his UFC spot with a devastating third-round KO of Cristian Perez in August 2025. Sousa made a striking UFC debut at Meta Apex in March 2025 with a third-round knockout of Bolaji Oki, followed by a decision win over tough competitor Richie Miranda in August. Both fighters love to stand and trade punches, ensuring fans will witness a high-action contest.
With Zaykunov currently riding a wave of hype, he might be the favorite going into the fight, but Sousa’s single-punch knockout power makes him a serious threat, keeping the outcome unpredictable.
Fan Take: This lightweight showdown is a must-watch for fight fans craving thrilling stand-up battles, as both fighters are fearless strikers poised to make a statement. The matchup not only promises fireworks but could also shape the future landscape of the lightweight division with rising stars on display.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
