Muslim Salikhov has confirmed via social media that he has withdrawn from his scheduled bout at UFC Macau due to injury. Salikhov underwent elbow surgery and stated that his recovery will take a couple of weeks before he can return to action. He apologized to UFC fans for missing the fight but promised to return and deliver exciting performances. The welterweight expressed regret that fans would not see the bout but remained optimistic about his comeback.
Muslim Salikhov has confirmed he is out of his scheduled welterweight bout at UFC Macau after undergoing elbow surgery, announcing the withdrawal on social media.
Salikhov, known as "King of Kung Fu," is a 42-year-old Russian fighter who trains out of the Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov School and carries a professional record of 22 wins and 6 losses. The orthodox striker competes at welterweight and has built a reputation for creative, high-volume standup, landing 3.37 significant strikes per minute at a 49 percent accuracy rate. He stands five-foot-eleven with a 70-inch reach and also mixes in a modest grappling threat, averaging 1.07 takedowns per 15 minutes.
In his social media post, Salikhov apologized to UFC fans for being unable to compete and expressed regret that the matchup would not take place as planned. He stated that recovery from the elbow procedure is expected to take a couple of weeks and remained upbeat about returning to deliver the kind of exciting performances his fans have come to expect.
Why it matters
- Salikhov's withdrawal leaves UFC Macau without his scheduled welterweight contest, which may require a late replacement or a card reshuffle.
- At 42, any surgery and recovery period carries added significance for his timeline and activity level going forward.
- His aggressive, striking-based style makes him a fan-friendly draw, so the absence is a notable loss for the event's entertainment value.
