UFC welterweight Muslim Salikhov entered the ‘Knockout of the Year’ debate at UFC Abu Dhabi.
The UFC Abu Dhabi prelims featured slick finishes, and a gruesome injury to help kick off the action. But one UFC welterweight made a strong case for a post-fight bonus with a nasty walkoff knockout.
Welterweights Muslim Salikhov and former PFL semifinalist Carlos Leal helped kick things off at UFC Abu Dhabi. The card was headlined by a middleweight matchup between former titleholder Robert Whittaker and the streaking Reinier de Ridder.
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Muslim Salikhov turns back the clock with walkoff finish at UFC Abu Dhabi
In a matchup between two of the welterweight division’s most explosive brawlers, it was the 41-year-old Salikhov who turned back the clock and flattened his Brazilian counterpart.
Salikhov and Leal wasted little time getting after it inside the Octagon at UFC Abu Dhabi. The two welterweights threw hands in the opening seconds in a pair of wild exchanges.
But as Leal put Salikhov on his back foot and with his back to the fence, Salikhov landed a beautifully-timed counter right hook that floored Leal and sent the crowd into a frenzy.
Watch Salikhov secure the finish below.
Immediately after the knockout, the UFC Abu Dhabi broadcast got former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev‘s live reaction to the proceedings. Makhachev, who looked stunned as Salikhov walked off with the finish, is expected to challenge UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena later this year.
Despite fighting in his 40s, Salikhov has now won three consecutive fights, including a spinning wheel kick KO of Song Kenan last November. Meanwhile, Leal suffered a big setback following a first-round knockout of Alex Morono at UFC 313 earlier this year.
UFC Abu Dhabi prelims featured one of the most gruesome injuries you’ll ever see
Salikhov’s impressive finish was far from the only notable highlight from the UFC Abu Dhabi prelims. UFC featherweight Mohammad Yahya was dropped a record six times in his fight with Steven Nguyen and left the Octagon with a swollen left eye.
Hyped UFC heavyweight Marcus Buchecha suffered a huge upset defeat to Martin Buday in the first fight of the night. Buchecha, a 13-time BJJ world champion, struggled to grapple with Buday in a head-scratching performance.
Tabatha Ricci earned a gruesome knockout of Amanda Ribas to continue her climb up the UFC women’s flyweight rankings.
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