Keep your eyes on this Welterweight prospect …
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to “Sin City” this weekend (Sat., Feb. 7, 2026) for its first Paramount+ Fight Night, UFC Vegas 113, which goes down inside the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the main event, two ranked Bantamweights collide as No. 9-ranked Mario Bautista takes on No. 11-seeded Vinicius Oliveira.
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Checkout UFC Vegas 113’s full card here.
While the lineup is filled with intriguing matchups and rising talent, there is one prospect in particular you absolutely cannot afford to ignore.
Without further ado …
Ultimate Fighter Season 33 winner Daniil Donchenko makes his official UFC debut this weekend after winning the reality show last September with a devastating first-round knockout of Rodrigo Sezinando (watch highlights).
And if you’re a fan of violent, unpredictable, edge-of-your-seat fighters — Donchenko is your guy.
The 24-year-old Ukrainian is already drawing comparisons to former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka. While Prochazka is very much a one-of-one, the comparison isn’t far-fetched. Donchenko is a madman in the cage — forward-moving, fearless, and relying heavily on instinct and chaos, complete with no head movement.
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Donchenko is undeniably raw, but the upside is obvious. He operates at one speed — full throttle. He’s explosive, carries real knockout power, and has the athleticism to make mistakes without immediately paying for them. While his grappling game isn’t polished, he prefers to sprawl-and-brawl anyway, and his physical gifts often allow him to scramble out of danger.
Adding to his intrigue, Donchenko has relocated to Las Vegas and now trains at Syndicate MMA, one of the premier gyms in the country — home to fighters like Merab Dvalishvili and Khalil Rountree. That level of coaching and room full of elite talent should only accelerate his development.
At UFC Vegas 113, Donchenko draws longtime UFC veteran Alex Morono in the Featured Prelim — and it’s featured for a reason. Donchenko is a massive betting favorite (-625) and has a chance to make a serious statement by running through a durable, experienced opponent.
That said, Morono is no pushover. Despite riding a three-fight losing streak, he’s a savvy fighter with a deep resume and the ability to drag prospects into uncomfortable waters.
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Still, all signs point to Donchenko adding another highlight-reel finish to his growing collection — and announcing himself as a prospect to watch at 170 pounds.
For the rest of the UFC Vegas 113 fight card and Paramount+ lineup click here.
