| Muslim Salikhov | |
|---|---|
 Muslim Salikhov in 2020 | |
| Born | Muslim Magomedovich Salikhov[1] (1984-06-09)June 9, 1984 (age 41) Buynaksk,Dagestan ASSR, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
| Native name | Муслим Салигь Мугьамматны уланы |
| Other names | King ofKung Fu[2] |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)[2] |
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb) |
| Division | Welterweight |
| Reach | 70 in (178 cm)[2] |
| Style | Sanda |
| Fighting out of | Khasavyurt,Dagestan, Russia |
| Team | Berkut FC[3] American Top Team[4] |
| Rank | Honored Master of Sports and 5th dan inWushu Sanda[5] Master of Sports in Complex Martial Arts[5] Purple belt inBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu[5] |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Kickboxing record | |
| Total | 199 |
| Wins | 185 |
| By knockout | 76 |
| Losses | 13 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| Draws | 1 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 28 |
| Wins | 22 |
| By knockout | 15 |
| By submission | 2 |
| By decision | 5 |
| Losses | 6 |
| By knockout | 3 |
| By submission | 2 |
| By decision | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Notable school | Five Directions of the World |
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
Representing Russia | ||
| Men'sSanda | ||
| Olympic Games (Unofficial) | ||
 | 2008 Beijing | 85 kg |
| World Games | ||
 | 2009 Kaohsiung | 85 kg |
| World Combat Games | ||
| 2013 St. Peterburg | 80 kg |
 | 2010 Beijing | 85 kg |
| World Championships | ||
| 2015 Jakarta | 80 kg |
| 2013 Kuala Lumpur | 80 kg |
| 2011 Ankara | 80 kg |
| 2009 Toronto | 85 kg |
| 2007 Beijing | 85 kg |
| 2005 Hanoi | 80 kg |
Muslim Magomedovich Salikhov (Russian:Муслим Магомедович Салихов,Kumyk:Муслим Салигь Мугьамматны уланы; born June 9, 1984) is a Russian professionalmixed martial artist andSanda fighter. He currently competes in theWelterweight division of theUltimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A multiple-time Wushu Sanda world champion, Salikhov occupies a place alongsideHossein Ojaghi as one of only two non-Chinese athletes to have won the Wushu Sanda King's Cup.
Muslim Salikhov was born inBuynaksk,Dagestan. His ethnicity isKumyk.[6] In 1995, he began to practice Wushu Sanda while attending theFive Directions of the World, a school famous for combining general and martial arts education.
Salikhov facedLiu Hailong who held the title "King of Sanda" at the2003 World Wushu Championships inMacau. Both were evenly matched, with Liu Hailong declared the winner.[7] Salikhov was the Sanshou champion at the 2004European Wushu Championships held inMoscow and he became the World Champion in2005.
In February 2006, he participated in the first international "King of Sanda" tournament inChongqing and became the first non-Chinese to win the title.[8] He again won the world title in 2007[9] and 2009.[10] At theWorld Wushu Championships, he became one of the most decorated sanda athletes of all time and was the first sanda athlete to win five gold medals.[11] He was also a gold medalist at the2008 Beijing Wushu Tournament,[12] and won medals at the2009 World Games and theWorld Combat Games.[13]
Muslim Salikhov is often acknowledged as one of the best Wushu Sanda competitors in history.[9]
Salikhov made his professional MMA debut in July 2011. Over the next year and a half, he earned a record of two wins and one loss.
By early 2013, Salikhov signed withM-1 Global, preparing with Phuket Top Team for hismixed martial arts debut.[14][15] He fought three times for the promotion, going undefeated during this run.
Beginning in 2015, Salikhov fought for various regional promotions in China and Russia. He fought seven times over two years, going undefeated during this run with six of the seven wins coming via knockout.
Salikhov earned his biggest win to date when he earned a victory over UFC and Bellator veteranMelvin Guillard by spinning hook kick.[16]
On October 19, 2017, Salikhov signed with theUFC.[17]
In his debut for the promotion, Salikhov facedAlex Garcia on November 25, 2017, atUFC Fight Night 122.[18] He lost the fight via submission in the second round.[19]
Salikhov facedAbdul Razak Alhassan on April 14, 2018, onUFC on FOX 29.[20] However, Alhassan was pulled from the card, citing injury, and he was replaced by promotional newcomerRicky Rainey.[21] He won the fight via technical knock out in round two.[22]
On July 20, 2018, Salikhov was notified of a potential doping violation by USADA from an out-of-competition sample collected on June 7, 2018.[23] On March 4, 2019, Salikhov was cleared of USADA suspension as USADA could not determine if Salikhov had ingested oral Turinabol a year before he was signed to the UFC and entered the USADA drug-testing program.[24]
Salikhov facedNordine Taleb on September 7, 2019, atUFC 242.[25] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[26] This win earned him thePerformance of the Night award.[27]
Salikhov facedLaureano Staropoli on October 26, 2019, atUFC on ESPN+ 20.[28] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[29]
Salikhov was expected to faceNiko Price on April 11, 2020, atUFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Harris.[30] However, due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, the event was eventually postponed and pairing scrapped.[31]
Salikhov facedElizeu Zaleski dos Santos on July 11, 2020, atUFC 251.[32] He won the fight via a split decision.[33]
Salikhov was scheduled to faceCláudio Silva on October 18, 2020 atUFC Fight Night 180.[34] However, on October 4, it was announced that Salikhov pulled out due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced byJames Krause.[35]
Salikhov was scheduled to faceSantiago Ponzinibbio on January 16, 2021, atUFC on ABC 1.[36] However, Salikhov pulled out of the bout in mid-December citing health issues after contractingCOVID-19.[37]
Salikhov facedFrancisco Trinaldo on June 5, 2021, atUFC Fight Night 189.[38] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[39]
Salikhov was scheduled to faceMichel Pereira on January 15, 2022, atUFC on ESPN 32.[40] However, Salikhov withdrew from the bout for undisclosed reasons and the bout was cancelled.[41]
Salikhov facedLi Jingliang on July 16, 2022, atUFC on ABC 3.[42] He lost the fight via technical knockout in the second round.[43]
Salikhov facedAndré Fialho on November 19, 2022, atUFC Fight Night 215.[44] He won the fight via technical knockout in round three.[45] With this win, Salikhov earned thePerformance of the Night award.[46]
Salikhov facedNicolas Dalby on June 17, 2023, atUFC on ESPN 47.[47] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[48]
Salikhov was scheduled to faceRandy Brown on December 16, 2023, atUFC 296.[49] However, the bout was scrapped after Brown withdrew due to illness.[50] The pair was rescheduled to meet atUFC Fight Night 235 on February 3, 2024.[51] Salikhov lost in the first round by knockout.[52]
Salikhov facedSantiago Ponzinibbio on July 13, 2024 atUFC on ESPN 59.[53] He won the fight by split decision.[54] 9 out of 13 media outlets scored the bout for Ponzinibbio.[55]
Salikhov facedSong Kenan on November 23, 2024 atUFC Fight Night 248.[56] He won the fight via a spinning wheel kick knockout in the first round.[57] This fight earned him anotherPerformance of the Night award.[58]
Salikhov faced Carlos Leal Miranda on July 26, 2025 atUFC on ABC 9.[59] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[60] This fight earned him anotherPerformance of the Night award.[61]
Salikhov facedUroš Medić on November 8, 2025, atUFC Fight Night 264.[62] He lost the fight via technical knockout early in the first round.[63]
| 28 matches | 22 wins | 6 losses |
| By knockout | 15 | 3 |
| By submission | 2 | 2 |
| By decision | 5 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 22–6 | Uroš Medić | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Bonfim vs. Brown | November 8, 2025 | 1 | 1:03 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 22–5 | Carlos Leal Miranda | KO (punch) | UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. de Ridder | July 26, 2025 | 1 | 0:42 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 21–5 | Song Kenan | KO (spinning wheel kick) | UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Figueiredo | November 23, 2024 | 1 | 3:49 | MacauSAR, China | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 20–5 | Santiago Ponzinibbio | Decision (split) | UFC on ESPN: Namajunas vs. Cortez | July 13, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Denver, Colorado, United States | |
| Loss | 19–5 | Randy Brown | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Dolidze vs. Imavov | February 3, 2024 | 1 | 3:17 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 19–4 | Nicolas Dalby | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Vettori vs. Cannonier | June 17, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 19–3 | André Fialho | TKO (spinning wheel kick and punches) | UFC Fight Night: Nzechukwu vs. Cuțelaba | November 19, 2022 | 3 | 1:03 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 18–3 | Li Jingliang | TKO (punches and elbows) | UFC on ABC: Ortega vs. Rodríguez | July 16, 2022 | 2 | 4:38 | Elmont, New York, United States | |
| Win | 18–2 | Francisco Trinaldo | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai | June 5, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 17–2 | Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos | Decision (split) | UFC 251 | July 12, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Win | 16–2 | Laureano Staropoli | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Askren | October 26, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Kallang, Singapore | |
| Win | 15–2 | Nordine Taleb | KO (punch) | UFC 242 | September 7, 2019 | 1 | 4:26 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 14–2 | Ricky Rainey | KO (punches) | UFC on Fox: Poirier vs. Gaethje | April 14, 2018 | 2 | 4:12 | Glendale, Arizona, United States | |
| Loss | 13–2 | Alex Garcia | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Gastelum | November 25, 2017 | 2 | 3:22 | Shanghai, China | |
| Win | 13–1 | Melvin Guillard | KO (spinning hook kick) | Kunlun Fight MMA 12 | June 1, 2017 | 1 | 1:33 | Yantai, China | Catchweight (181 lb) bout; Guillard missed weight. |
| Win | 12–1 | Akoundou Epelet Evy Johannes | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | YunFeng Showdown 1 | May 25, 2017 | 1 | 3:23 | Shandong, China | |
| Win | 11–1 | Ivan Jorge | KO (spinning back kick) | Kunlun Fight: Cage Series 6 | October 21, 2016 | 1 | 1:04 | Yiwu, China | |
| Win | 10–1 | Gang Zhang | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Superstar Fight 3 | May 21, 2016 | 1 | N/A | Harbin, China | |
| Win | 9–1 | Artem Shokalo | KO (spinning back kick) | Dagestan Cage Fighting 2016 | April 2, 2016 | 1 | 2:31 | Makhachkala, Russia | |
| Win | 8–1 | Kurbanjiang Tuluosibake | TKO (spinning back kick and punches) | Bullets Fly FC 3 | January 16, 2016 | 1 | 0:18 | Hebei, China | Catchweight (174 lb) bout. |
| Win | 7–1 | Tsuyoshi Yamashita | TKO (punches) | W.I.N. FC | July 18, 2015 | 1 | N/A | Guangdong, China | |
| Win | 6–1 | Gele Qing | KO (punches) | CKF: Zhong Wu Ultimate Fighting | April 18, 2015 | 1 | 3:50 | Beijing, China | |
| Win | 5–1 | Victor Sckoteski | TKO (punches) | M-1 Challenge 53 | November 25, 2014 | 1 | 4:27 | Beijing, China | |
| Win | 4–1 | Filip Kotarlic | KO (punch) | M-1 Challenge 44 | November 30, 2013 | 1 | 3:05 | Tula, Russia | Welterweight debut. |
| Win | 3–1 | Deyan Topalski | Decision (unanimous) | M-1 Challenge 38 | April 9, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Saint Petersburg, Russia | |
| Loss | 2–1 | Kris Hocum | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Beirut Elite FC: First Blood | December 15, 2012 | 1 | 1:40 | Beirut, Lebanon | |
| Win | 2–0 | Dankao Sakda | KO (punch) | Top of the Forbidden City 4 | August 19, 2011 | 1 | 6:56 | Beijing, China | |
| Win | 1–0 | Tao Wang-hong | TKO (arm injury) | Top of the Forbidden City 2 | July 22, 2011 | 1 | 0:51 | Beijing, China | Middleweight debut. |
| Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-07-16 | Win |  Fang Qingquan | Fight King international Championship Final | Lantian, China | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2016-12-10 | Win | Nuerla Mulali | Kunlun Fight 55 80 kg 2016 Tournament Reserve Fight | Qingdao, China | KO (Spinning Backfist) | 2 | 2:00 | |
| 2016-01-31 | Win | Fu Gaofeng | Changbai Mountain Hero 2016 | Jilin, China | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2014-01-11 | Loss | Nuerla Mulali | Hongdu Real estate & Qiancheng group Championship | Dalian, China | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2012-12-31 | Loss | Xu Yi | Wu Lin Feng Global Kung Fu Festival | Beijing, China | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2012-01-01 | Win | Li Baoming | Ultimate Fighter 2012 | Changsha, China | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2011-10-22 | Loss | Fu Gaofeng | Shandong Heroes 2011 | Yantai, China | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2011-06-18 | Win | Li Baoming | WBC Muaythai China Championships[66] | Hunan, China | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| WinsWBC Muaythai international challenge in China at Cruiserweight | ||||||||
| 2011-04-23 | Win | Guo Qiang | WBC Muaythai China Championships | Nanning, China | KO | 2 | ||
| 2011-01-18 | Loss | Fu Jiachun | 2011 China vs Russia Sanshou Tournament -80 kg | Harbin, China | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2009-07-17 | Loss |  Steve McKinnon | 1st World Kung Fu King Championship (世界功夫王争霸赛) 75–90 kg, Quarter Finals | Guangzhou, China | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 5:00 | |
| 2009-06-26 | Win |  Stéphane Attelly | 1er Gala International Multi-boxes[67] | Paris, France | ||||
| 2009-03-14 | Loss | Yu Jin | 4th Kung Fu King Tournament (国际武术搏击争霸赛), Finals[68] | Chongqing, China | KO | 2 | ||
| Fight was for 2009 KFK Tournament (80kg) title. | ||||||||
| 2009-03-14 | Win | Xu Jiaheng | 4th Kung Fu King Tournament (国际武术搏击争霸赛), Semi Finals | Chongqing, China | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2009-03-12 | Win | Yang Yuanfei | 4th Kung Fu King Tournament (国际武术搏击争霸赛), Quarter Finals | Chongqing, China | KO | 2 | ||
| 2009-03-10 | Win |  Eduardo Bernadette Filho | 4th Kung Fu King Tournament (国际武术搏击争霸赛), 1/8 Finals | Chongqing, China | KO | 2 | ||
| 2007-08-01 | Win | Fang Bian | 2007 China vs Russia Sanshou Tournament -80 kg | Harbin, China | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2007-03-23 | Loss | Bai Jinbin | 2nd Kung Fu King Tournament (国际武术搏击争霸赛), Semi Finals[69] | Chongqing, China | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2006-02-26 | Win | Gele Qing | 1st Kung Fu King Tournament (国际武术搏击争霸赛), Finals[70] | Chongqing, China | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| Wins the 2006 KFK Tournament (80kg). | ||||||||
| 2006-02-26 | Win | Zhang Tingbin | 1st Kung Fu King Tournament (国际武术搏击争霸赛), Semi Finals | Chongqing, China | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2006-02-25 | Win | Aotegen Bateer | 1st Kung Fu King Tournament (国际武术搏击争霸赛), Quarter Finals | Chongqing, China | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2006-02-24 | Win | Xue Fengqiang | 1st Kung Fu King Tournament (国际武术搏击争霸赛), 1/8 Finals | Chongqing, China | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-11-17 | Win | Fu Gaofeng | 13th World Wushu Championships, Final | Jakarta, Indonesia | Decision | 3 | 2:00 |
| 2015-11-17 | Win |  Bagdat Kenzhetayev | 13th World Wushu Championships, Semi Finals | Jakarta, Indonesia | Decision | 3 | 2:00 |
| 2015-11-17 | Win |  Moumou Abdelhakim | 13th World Wushu Championships, Quarter Finals | Jakarta, Indonesia | Decision | 3 | 2:00 |
| 2013-11-05 | Loss |  Amir Fazli | 12th World Wushu Championships, Final | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Decision (2–1) | 3 | 2:00 |
| 2013-11-04 | Win |  Alejandro Cisne | 12th World Wushu Championships, Semi Finals | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Decision (2–0) | 2 | 2:00 |
| 2013-11-03 | Win | Mergen Bilyalov | 12th World Wushu Championships, Quarter Finals | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Decision (2–0) | 2 | 2:00 |
| 2013-11-02 | Win |  Rolich Vadzim | 12th World Wushu Championships, 1/8 Finals | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Decision (2–0) | 2 | 2:00 |
| 2013-10-26 | Win |  Nacereddine Zemmal | 2nd World Combat Games, Final | Saint Petersburg, Russia | |||
| 2013-10-25 | Win |  Ashraf Mohamed Abdelgawad Abdelhamid | 2nd World Combat Games, Semi Finals | Saint Petersburg, Russia | |||
| 2011-10-15 | Win | Abdelhamid El-Sayad | 11th World Wushu Championships, Final | Ankara, Turkey | Decision (2–0) | 2 | 2:00 |
| 2011-10-14 | Win | Nacereddine Zemmal | 11th World Wushu Championships, Semi Finals | Ankara, Turkey | Decision (2–0) | 2 | 2:00 |
| 2011-10-12 | Win |  Velaz Miguel | 11th World Wushu Championships, Quarter Finals | Ankara, Turkey | Decision (2–0) | 2 | 2:00 |
| 2011-10-11 | Win |  Salvador Gajardo Lopez | 11th World Wushu Championships, 1/8 Finals | Ankara, Turkey | Absolute Victory | ||
| 2011-10-11 | Win | Amir Fazli | 11th World Wushu Championships, 1/16 Finals | Ankara, Turkey | Decision (2–0) | 2 | 2:00 |
| 2010-08-28 | Loss | Xu Jiaheng | 1st World Combat Games, Semi Finals | Beijing, China | Decision (2–1) | 3 | 2:00 |
| 2009-10-30 | Win | Hamid Reza Gholipour | 10th World Wushu Championships, Final | Toronto, Canada | Decision (2–0) | 2 | 2:00 |
| 2009-10-28 | Win | Xu Jiaheng | 10th World Wushu Championships, Semi Finals | Toronto, Canada | Decision (2–0) | 2 | 2:00 |
| 2009-10-27 | Win |  Igor Kolacin | 10th World Wushu Championships, Quarter Finals | Toronto, Canada | Decision (2–0) | 2 | 2:00 |
| 2009-10-26 | Win |  Masood Rahimi | 10th World Wushu Championships, 1/8 Finals | Toronto, Canada | Absolute Victory | ||
| 2009-07-26 | Loss | Hamid Reza Gholipour | 8th World Games, Finals | Kaohsiung, Taiwan | |||
| 2008-08-24 | Win | Hossein Ojaghi | 2008 Beijing Wushu Tournament, Final | Beijing, China | Default | ||
| 2008-08-23 | Win |  Nick Evagorou | 2008 Beijing Wushu Tournament, Semi Finals | Beijing, China | KO | ||
| 2008-08-22 | Win |  Elshad Ibrahimov | 2008 Beijing Wushu Tournament, Quarter Finals | Beijing, China | Default | ||
| 2007-11-17 | Win | Hossein Ojaghi | 9th World Wushu Championships, Final | Beijing, China | Decision (2–0) | 2 | 2:00 |
| 2007-11-16 | Win | Nick Evagorou | 9th World Wushu Championships, Semi Finals | Beijing, China | Absolute Victory | ||
| 2007-11-15 | Win |  Eugen Preda | 9th World Wushu Championships, Quarter Finals | Beijing, China | Decision (2–1) | 3 | 2:00 |
| 2007-11-14 | Win |  Elyorbek Akbarov | 9th World Wushu Championships, 1/8 Finals | Beijing, China | Absolute Victory | ||
| 2007-11-12 | Win | Mohamed Yousef Ramdan | 9th World Wushu Championships, 1/16 Finals | Beijing, China | Decision (2–0) | 2 | 2:00 |
| 2006-09-23 | Win | Eslam Ghorbani | 3rd Sanda World Cup, Final | Xi'an, China | Decision | 3 | 2:00 |
| 2006-09-23 | Win |  Daniele Chiofalo | 3rd Sanda World Cup, Semi Finals | Xi'an, China | Decision | 3 | 2:00 |
| 2005-12-14 | Win | Eslam Ghorbani | 8th World Wushu Championships, Final | Hanoi, Vietnam | |||
| 2005-12-13 | Win | Stéphane Attelly | 8th World Wushu Championships, Semi Finals | Hanoi, Vietnam | |||
| 2005-12-13 | Win | N&A | 8th World Wushu Championships, Quarter Finals | Hanoi, Vietnam | |||
| 2004-11-14 | Loss | Zheng Yuhao | 2nd Sanda World Cup, 1/8 Finals | Guangzhou, China | Decision | 3 | |
| 2003-11-05 | Loss | Liu Hailong | 7th World Wushu Championships, 1/8 Finals | Macau, China | Decision | 3 | 2:00 |
[71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78]
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