Muslim Salikhov is no stranger to highlight reel finishes. He added another to his resume on Saturday at UFC Fight Night 248 in Macau. With that in the book, Salikhov is looking to challenge fan-favorite a “nice guy” on the roster. He walks the walk in karate, no kung-fu, but talks the talks by the name of Stephen Thompson.
After his bonus-winning wheel-kick KO of Song Kenan (22-8 MMA, 6-4 UFC), Salikhov made the call-up to “Wonderboy.” The call at UFC Macau is one that makes more sense than most. This comes especially in an age where people are jumping lines for fights based on tweets or other non-sporting agendas. If it doesn’t happen between these two, the fans will be truly disappointed.
I’m… I’m in good shape. I will continue my training,…I don’t like to rest long time, so I will be ready if UFC ask me for the fight. I’m going to be ready and I want, uh, …I wan’t fight with Wonder Boy Thompson you know, like this good fight – he Karate I’m Kung Fu. It’s going to be exciting for the fans.
Muslim Salikhov for Helen Yee Sports (@HelenYeeSports)
UFC is no ‘ONE’ with one particular sport-based contention. Nor is it a particular style of fighting league, like say Taekwondo or kickboxing. But Kung-fu vs. karate is something as old as time and a big what-if in MMA. Thompson (17-8-1 MMA, 12-8-1 UFC) turns 42 in February. It will soon be eight years since he lost his second welterweight title shot to Tyron Woodley.
Stephen Thompson has gone just 4-6 and has dropped four of his past five bouts. He is fresh off a round-three leaping punch KO loss to Joaquin Buckley at UFC 307. Before that, he finished former champs Robert Whittaker and Johny Hendricks. He also has victories over ex-contenders Rory MacDonald and Jorge Masvidal. ‘
‘King of Kung Fu’ Salikhov from Team Berkut FC also had a had a bonus-winning spinning wheel kick finish of Andre Fialho in 2022 and is 40 right now. Macau puts him back in contention big time. So, it there were ever a time for it to get back in the stylistic fold, it’s now.
Muslim Salikhov ready to try that kung fu wheel kick on karate wiz Stephen Thompson
There were a lot of big takeaways from UFC Macau (otherwise known as UFC Fight Night 248). Carlos Ulberg, once tapped for top echelon contention not many months back, proved he might just go in for title threats. Doctor that pulls off doctor stoppages – Shi Ming’s incredible KO woke up a lot of nodding viewers. Meanwhile, her opponent Feng Xiaocan was even stretchered off the mat!
Muslim Salikhov wants to return after UFC Macau as soon as he can (Source: X)Gabriella Fernandes pulled off an all-time stunner at UFC Macau (UFC Fight Night 248) and the fourth-biggest upset in UFC history. Other than that, crips and violent Petr Yan sent a reminder to the bantamweights why he’s so dangerous. Subsequently, at 40, Muslim Salikhov was also a part of this equation. However, he took no tear and wants to get back at it soon:
I’m just starting to understand what is going on here [in the UFC], …I want to show people who is the real king of kung fu. I’m ready to fight before Ramadan if it’s a top guy. ‘Wonderboy’, we both old fighters but still good strikers.
Muslim Salikhov during UFC Macau post-fight conference interviews
Given his age, Muslim Salikhov would like to get the ball rolling as soon as possible. Salikhov is the first fighter in UFC competition to score multiple KOs stemming from a spinning wheel kick. There have been a total of 15 finishes in the company using the technique. He proved he has still got it and it’s only one way up for the welterweight.
