Magomed Zaynukov Wants Fans to Get His Nickname Right: 'It's Definitely Not John Pork'
Magomed Zaynukov made waves with a standout performance on Tuesday night that caught the attention of fight fans everywhere. But here’s where it gets controversial—many fans have been calling him by a nickname he absolutely dislikes.
Zaynukov, who fights alongside Islam Makhachev, secured a UFC contract after a dominant unanimous decision victory against Lucas Caldas at Dana White's Contender Series. Known as “Wild Chanco,” he delivered an impressive 248 significant strikes during the fight—a number that would shatter the lightweight record if this had been a regular UFC event.
However, there’s been some confusion around what his true nickname is. The story goes back to when Makhachev introduced Zaynukov to Demetrious Johnson, referring to him as a two-time muay thai world champion with the moniker “Chanco.” Somehow, a mishearing or mix-up led many fans to adopt the nickname “John Pork,” which does not sit well with Zaynukov at all.
At the post-fight press conference, Zaynukov was very clear: “No John Pork. Chanco,” he said firmly. “People get mixed up between ‘John Pork’ and ‘Chanco.’ ‘John Pork’ sounds like a cartoon pig. I’ve said it many times—it’s not ‘John Pork,’ it’s ‘Chanco.’ I want fans to stop using the wrong name so they truly support me. Please, don’t call me ‘John Pork.’ I just don’t like it.”
This raises an interesting question: How often do fighters lose control over how their public persona is shaped by fans and media? Should fans respect the fighter’s wishes when it comes to nicknames, or is it just part of fan culture to create their own?
For now, Zaynukov remains undefeated with an impressive 8-0 record, including five wins by knockout. Will fans finally update their chants and social media posts to honor his real nickname, or will “John Pork” persist as a stubbornly wrong but catchy nickname?
What do you think? Have you ever seen a nickname stick despite the person’s objections? Share your thoughts below—do you stand with Zaynukov’s call for respect, or do you think nicknames evolve with fan creativity?
