The scheduled fight between Muslim Salikhov and Jake Matthews at the UFC event on May 30th has been cancelled. Salikhov underwent surgery on his hand, forcing the withdrawal from the matchup. This represents a setback for both fighters who were scheduled to compete in the welterweight division. No information was provided about potential rebooking or replacement opponents for either fighter.
A welterweight bout between Muslim Salikhov and Jake Matthews, set for the UFC's May 30th card, has been scrapped after Salikhov required hand surgery that forced him out of the contest.
Salikhov, known as "King of Kung Fu," is a 42-year-old Russian orthodox striker carrying a 22-6 record. Fighting out of the Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov School, he stands five-foot-eleven with a 70-inch reach and lands 3.37 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy, making him one of the more precise volume strikers in the welterweight division. His withdrawal due to the surgical procedure ends what would have been a notable appearance for the veteran.
Matthews, the 31-year-old Australian nicknamed "The Celtic Kid," holds a 22-8 record and trains out of Nexus. He matches Salikhov's five-foot-eleven height but carries a slightly longer 73-inch reach. Matthews averages 3.34 significant strikes per minute and supplements his striking with 1.44 takedowns per 15 minutes and 0.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes, giving him a more well-rounded offensive profile. The cancellation leaves him without an opponent and off the May 30th card entirely.
Why it matters
- Salikhov's hand surgery timeline is unknown, raising questions about how long the 42-year-old veteran will be sidelined.
- Matthews loses a high-profile opportunity to build momentum in the welterweight division with a win over an experienced opponent.
- No replacement bouts or rescheduling plans have been announced for either fighter, leaving both their near-term schedules uncertain.
