Muslim Salikhov's scheduled fight against Jake Matthews at the UFC event on May 30 has been cancelled. Salikhov underwent hand surgery, forcing his withdrawal from the bout. The post does not specify whether Matthews will receive a replacement opponent or if the matchup will be rescheduled. This represents a setback for both fighters' planned returns to competition.
Muslim Salikhov has been forced out of his scheduled May 30 UFC bout against Jake Matthews after undergoing hand surgery, ending what would have been a welterweight matchup between two of the division's more experienced veterans.
Salikhov, nicknamed "King of Kung Fu," carries a 22-6 record and represents Russia at 42 years old, making him one of the elder statesmen still active in the 170-pound division. Fighting out of the Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov School in an orthodox stance, the five-foot-eleven striker lands 3.37 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy, and also contributes on the ground with 1.07 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Matthews, the Australian known as "The Celtic Kid," holds an identical 22-8 record and enters at 31 years old, fighting out of Nexus. He matches up closely with Salikhov in height at five-foot-eleven but holds a three-inch reach advantage at 73 inches, or 185 centimeters. Matthews posts a similar striking output of 3.34 significant strikes per minute and adds a grappling dimension with 1.44 takedowns and 0.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Salikhov's hand surgery removes a high-experience welterweight from the May 30 card with little notice
- Matthews is left without an opponent, and it remains unclear whether a replacement will be found or the fight rescheduled
- The cancelled bout disrupts the planned returns of two fighters who share nearly identical records and complementary striking-heavy styles
