Learn more about Muslim Salikhov's UFC history, fighter facts, and Q&A below.
Fighter Facts
- Pro since 2011
- Twelve wins by KO, two by submission (2 Arm Triangle)
- Thirteen first round finishes
- Has won 15 of his last 16 and four in a row
- Scored knockouts over UFC vets Ivan Jorge and Melvin Guillard
- Has reported 185-13-1 (76 KOs) kickboxing record
- Only non-Chinese fighter to win the Wushu Sanda King’s Cup
UFC History
UFC 251 (7/12/20) Salikhov won a three round split decision over Elizeu Zaleski Dos Santos
UFC Fight Night (10/26/19) Salikhov won a three round unanimous decision over Laureano Staropoli
UFC 242 (9/7/19) Salikhov knocked out Nordine Taleb at 4:26 of the first round
UFC on FOX (4/14/18) Salikhov knocked out Ricky Rainey at 3:56 of the second round
UFC Fight Night (11/25/17) Salikhov was submitted by Alex Garcia via rear naked choke at 3:22 of the second round
Q&A
When and why did you start training for fighting? When I was kid, Because I didn’t want to get my ass get kicked in the streets of Dagestan.
What ranks and titles have you held? I’m a five-time Wushu Sanda world champion, Olympic Sanda tournament (2008 Beijing) champion, Combat Games sport accord champion, European Sanda champion
What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? After achieving all the titles I could achieve in kickboxing, UFC became my main goal.
Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? Two higher education degrees
What was your job before you started fighting? Fighting was always my job
Specific accomplishments in pro competition? Around 200 pro kickboxing, Muay Thai and Sanda matches
Ranks in any martial arts styles: Honored Master of Sports in Wushu Sanda, Master of Sports in Complex Martial Arts, BJJ blue belt
Favorite grappling technique: Arm triangle
Favorite Striking technique: Spinning back kick
