TLDR
- UFC Qatar adds lightweight bout between Manoel Sousa and Magomed Zaynukov on November 21
- Zaynukov remains undefeated at 8-0 and trains with UFC champion Islam Makhachev
- Sousa holds a 13-1 record and is 2-0 in the UFC after two wins in 2024
- Both fighters earned UFC contracts through Dana White’s Contender Series in 2023
- The event takes place at Ali Bin Hamad al-Attiyah Arena in Doha, Qatar
Sources: si.com
UFC Qatar has added a lightweight matchup between Manoel Sousa and Magomed Zaynukov, according to reports from Laerte Viana. The fight is scheduled for November 21 at the Ali Bin Hamad al-Attiyah Arena in Doha.
The event marks the UFC’s second trip to Qatar after visiting the country for the first time last November. The card does not yet have a main event announced.
Two Contender Series Winners Collide
Both fighters earned their UFC contracts through Dana White’s Contender Series in 2023. Sousa defeated Christian Perez on the show, while Zaynukov won a unanimous decision over Lucas Caldas.
🫡 Conor Mcgregor PRAISES Islam Makhachev, says 'there's a lot left' in him:
"Body of work, finishes. I rank him above Khabib and DC. People around him are talking about [retirement], but there's a lot left in that boy."
🎥 @Complex pic.twitter.com/pdqALhSLsC
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) July 8, 2026
Sousa started his professional career with 11 straight victories. He only went to a decision once during that run, which came in a PFL Challenger Series fight against Paulo Henrique Laia in 2023.
The Brazilian fighter made his Bellator debut in 2024 with a first-round knockout of Tim Wilde. However, he suffered his first career loss to Archie Colgan at Bellator Champions Series: London in a matchup between two undefeated fighters.
Sousa bounced back with a win in LFA before securing his UFC contract. He has won both of his UFC fights this year, stopping Bolaji Oki in the third round of his promotional debut and earning a unanimous decision over Richie Miranda in August.
Zaynukov brings a perfect 8-0 record into the matchup. The 31-year-old Russian fighter extended his undefeated streak at UFC Abu Dhabi, where he handed Damian Rzepecki his first professional loss.
Training With the Champion
Zaynukov trains at the same gym as current UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev. This connection has raised expectations for the Russian fighter since he joined the UFC roster.
The fight represents a step up in competition for both lightweights. Sousa enters with a 13-1 record, while Zaynukov looks to maintain his perfect professional record.
UFC Qatar has added several other fights in recent days. The card features a matchup between former flyweight title challenger Kyoji Horiguchi and Asu Almabayev.
Santiago Luna will face Aleksandre Topuria on the same card. The UFC has not announced which fight will serve as the main event for the November 21 show.
The event takes place with less than a month of preparation time remaining for the fighters. Both Sousa and Zaynukov will look to build momentum in the competitive lightweight division with a win in Qatar.
