Makkasharip Zaynukov trains at Eagles MMA Academy, alongside some of the most notable names in MMA, including Khabib Nurmagomedov, Usman Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev. Zaynukov has won 15 of his 19 fights thus far as a pro, with seven of those wins coming via a finish. Zaynukov, who enters his PFL debut on a four-fight win streak, most recently fought in December 2023, defeating Ali Kabdulla.

 

Derek Sanders’ early success in his MMA career has come from his ability to counterpunch and bring pressure to fighters, working them into a finish. Sanders has scored finishes in seven of his nine pro victories, including six of his last seven wins. Sanders made his PFL debut in August with a first-round knockout of Sergio Cossio.

 

Which lightweight will prove victorious in this showcase bout?

 

 

Round 1

 

Both men feeling each other out, with Zaynukov taking the center of the SmartCage. A couple of low kicks from Sanders to start things off. Zaynukov with a low kick. Zaynukov lands a right hand. Sanders blocks a kick. Zaynukov misses a kick. Sanders trying to pick up his aggression. Body shot from Zaynukov. Front kick from Sanders. Stunning left hook lands for Zaynukov. Right hand from Zaynukov. Front kick to the body by Zaynukov. Sanders reaching but can’t connect on his punches. Body kick from Sanders, but Zaynukov answers with a left hand.

 

 

Another left hook lands to the head for Zaynukov. Body kick from Sanders. One-two from Zaynukov, and he quickly locks up a choke, but he quickly lets go of it. Zaynukov drags Sanders over to the fence. Sanders has underhooks, but Zaynukov collects the legs and scores a takedown. Zaynukov looks to step over the ankles and he’s got a hold of Sanders’ waist. Sanders gets back to his feet, but he’s still being pressured by Zaynukov. Zaynukov with a trip, scoring a takedown. Butterfly hook in for Zaynukov, with Sanders’ back against the fence in a seated position. Zaynukov brings him completely on the mat and looks to wrap Sanders up. Zaynukov with back control as the round ends.

 

 

Round 2

 

Some feeling each other out here, with Sanders testing out the head kick in the process. Sanders tries to juke inside, but Zaynukov lands another left hook. Zaynukov misses a right uppercut. Sanders looks to be the one to pressure now, taking the center of the SmartCage. Right hand from Zaynukov. Sanders backing up Zaynukov, though he’s still landing his punches. Sanders throws a high kick, but Zaynukov catches it and dumps Sanders to his back. Zaynukov is back on top, while Sanders is looking to scramble away.

 

Zaynukov trying to work his position and lands an elbow. Sanders trying to bring his way over to the fence. Sanders looking to bring himself up, but Zaynukov still has a hold of him. Zaynukov returns Sanders to the mat, and Sanders has his back showing. Zaynukov, however, seems more focused on mat returns than the back of Sanders. Sanders gets back to his feet, but Zaynukov still is in control. Tight-waist takedown from Zaynukov, basically slamming Sanders back to the mat. Zaynukov riding on Sanders’s back, with a hook in, as the round comes to an end.

 

 

Round 3

 

Zaynukov with a three-punch combination early. Sanders looks to land power strikes, but he’s off balance. Zaynukov with a cautious approach here. Low kick from Zaynukov. Right hook by Zaynukov to counter a Sanders power shot. Left hand from Sanders. Sanders looks to land a pair of left hooks. Zaynukov keeping his distance and landing well. Zaynukov throws a head kick, which is partially blocked. Zaynukov grabs a leg and scores another takedown of Sanders. Zaynukov quickly finds his way into full mount, with Sanders’ head trapped against the fence.

 

Sanders trying to kick out, but Zaynukov has a grapevine. Sanders works his way out, but Zaynukov maintains his grip on him. Zaynukov keeping wrist control. Zaynukov keeping pressure and looks for a choke. Zaynukov landing some ground-and-pound here. Zaynukov has a tight grip and lands more with the left hand. Sanders gets flattened out. Zaynukov landing at will now with his punches. Short elbows landing to the head of Sanders. Zaynukov landing hard with the left hand. Zaynukov bringing out a flurry of ground-and-pound in the closing seconds! Sanders barely survives to see the final bell!

 

 

Makkasharip Zaynukov making it look easy in this one!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Makkasharip Zaynukov def. Derek Sanders via unanimous decision (30-26 x3)