Muslim Salikhov has confirmed on social media that he suffered an injury and his fight at UFC Macau has been canceled. Salikhov stated that expectations and reality don't always align and injuries can happen unexpectedly. Doctors performed surgery on his elbow today and recovery will take a couple of weeks. He apologized to UFC fans who won't see the fight but promised to return and deliver good performances. The welterweight was scheduled to compete at the upcoming UFC Macau event.
Muslim Salikhov has announced via social media that he has undergone elbow surgery and will no longer compete at UFC Macau, marking an abrupt end to his preparation for the event.
Salikhov, known in combat sports circles as "King of Kung Fu," is a 42-year-old Russian welterweight fighting out of the Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov School. He carries a professional record of 22 wins and 6 losses and brings a well-rounded offensive game to the 170-pound division, averaging 3.37 significant strikes landed per minute at 49 percent accuracy, while also contributing on the mat with 1.07 takedowns per 15 minutes. Standing five-foot-eleven with a 70-inch reach, he has long been a recognizable presence in the UFC welterweight ranks.
In his social media post, Salikhov acknowledged that expectations and reality do not always align, noting that injuries can arise without warning. He confirmed doctors performed the procedure on his elbow and indicated recovery should take a couple of weeks. He offered an apology to fans who were anticipating his appearance and pledged to return with strong performances.
Why it matters
- Salikhov's withdrawal leaves a hole in the UFC Macau card with no replacement opponent or bout announced yet.
- At 42, the Russian veteran has limited runway in his career, making any time away from competition meaningful.
- His blend of striking volume and takedown ability made the canceled matchup a stylistically compelling contest for the welterweight division.
