The bout between Muslim Salikhov and Jake Matthews scheduled for UFC Macau has been cancelled. Salikhov has withdrawn from the fight due to an upcoming elbow surgery that requires immediate attention. The cancellation was reported by source KevinK, a known MMA reporter. No replacement opponent or rescheduled date has been announced for Matthews at this time. This represents a setback for both fighters who were scheduled to compete at the UFC's event in Macau.
Muslim Salikhov has been forced out of his scheduled welterweight bout against Jake Matthews at UFC Macau, with the Russian veteran requiring elbow surgery that demands immediate attention. The cancellation was reported by MMA reporter KevinK. No replacement opponent or rescheduled date has been announced for Matthews at this time.
Salikhov, known as "King of Kung Fu," carries a 22-6 record and is 42 years old. The Russian Orthodox striker trains out of the Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov School and stands five-foot-eleven with a 70-inch reach. He lands 3.37 significant strikes per minute at a 49 percent accuracy rate, making him one of the more precise strikers in the welterweight division.
Matthews, nicknamed "The Celtic Kid," is a 31-year-old Australian fighting out of Nexus with a 22-8 record. He matches Salikhov in height at five-foot-eleven but holds a slightly longer reach of 73 inches. Matthews is a well-rounded threat, landing 3.34 significant strikes per minute while also averaging 1.44 takedowns and 0.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Salikhov's elbow surgery timeline leaves his return date uncertain, particularly significant given he is already 42 years old
- Matthews loses a high-profile appearance on an international card with no replacement yet named, stalling his momentum in the welterweight division
- The stylistic matchup between two orthodox strikers of near-identical height would have made for a compelling technical contest, and a rescheduled date would carry similar intrigue
