Daniil Donchenko arrived at UFC Vegas 113 as a question mark and left with a statement, earning the biggest win of his career after a war with veteran Alex Morono on Saturday night.
Donchenko (13-2) was visibly self-critical in the aftermath, focusing less on the win itself and more on the opportunities he felt he left behind. The rising welterweight acknowledged that his eagerness to make a statement led him to press for a finish rather than settle into a measured approach. Still, his respect for Morono’s durability was evident as he reflected on the bout moments after it ended.
“This guy, he’s tough. Many fighters after these shots they done, but this guy, he was tough,” Donchenko told Cageside Press among other reporters at his post-fight scrum.
“I think it’s not only about him, it’s more about me. It was my fault. I was just so excited. Young and stupid because I was not really happy after fight because I knew I can finish this fight. I just don’t need to rush for knockouts straights. I just should be more patient and (it’ll) come, but I was just like only knockouts or nothing.”
At one point Donchenko dropped Morono with a shot, ending up on top of him, and looking for the finish. He recapped the sequence with a mix of humor and frustration. Even in near-finish moments, Morono’s resilience forced Donchenko to confront the fine margins between chasing a bonus and staying composed.
“I tried to touch him with the right hand, and I tried to touch him in the body. I dropped him with the hook. I almost finished him and I swear I punched him, I punch, I punch, I punch. I (was) like, “Hell, stop this fight. I need this 25k!” I swear on my life,” he said.
“I punch and I think ‘So close! This money so close!’ and it’s my fault too because I was thinking about money a lot. It was close and then he survived. Full of blood and like…hell, tough guy.”
With his first statement win in the books, Donchenko was already looking ahead to what comes next. The welterweight made it clear he has no interest in sitting on momentum, instead pushing for a quick turnaround and a chance to stay active. Location, he noted, would be just as meaningful as the date, as he hopes to fight in a setting that allows those closest to him to be part of the moment.
“I really would love to come back April 5 here in the Apex. It will be great opportunity,” he said.
“If not, I know end of June, it will be perfect one. They have maybe in Baku, Azerbaijan. Many Ukranian people from Europe they can come and support myself. I would love to fight somewhere outside and to make opportunity for my friends to come watch me live.”
Watch the entire post-fight scrum with Daniil Donchenko above.