Song Kenan and Muslim Salikhov faced off at the Galaxy Arena in Cotai, Macao on Saturday November 23rd. The first round began with Kenan and Salikhov trading strikes, Salikhov having the stronger showing when he landed a spinning kick to Kenan’s body. Kenan invested in some calf kicks in attempt to weaken Salikhov’s legs. Kenan kept the pressure on Salikhov, keeping the distance short between the two. Kenan was also keen to show Salikhov his kicks as he sent a spinning kick into his guard. Salikhov responded with a calf kick heavy enough to be audible. Kenan pressed the advance forcing Salikhov back to the fence and landing a strike to his head in the process.
Kenan proved to be too zealous in the course of the takedown as he accidently kneed Salikhov in the groin. Kenan recognized his mistake; in a show of good sportsmanship, he let go and backed away. After a warning from the referee, the bout continued; after an initial trading of blows Kenan went for a kick to salikhov’s head. Salikhov blocked the kick toward his head, grabbing Kenan’s ankle, and catching him off balance, sending him to the mat. Kenan got back to his feet and pressed Salikhov once more, keeping on the pressure.
The first round and ultimately the match would end with Salikhov unleashing a spinning kick that connected with Kenan’s head dropping him instantly. In his post-fight interview, Salikhov said “I always have this kick in my pocket.” When he described the way he won the fight he said “Every one of my kicks is dangerous.” When asked about his spinning kick technique he explained “This is my favorite kick. I did [for] many years. All China knows that its one of [my] best kicks.” Upon seeing the footage of his spinning kick Salikhov remarked “That’s beautiful. I’m very happy to [win] like that.”
As the commentor explained to the audience that Salikhov was forty years old and “still going good for an old guy”, Salikhov replied “[I want] more fights, and better fights. I train hard, I’m still good.” At forty years old Salikhov made UFC history becoming the first fighter to finish two matches with a spinning wheel kick. Muslim “King of Kung Fu” Salikhov is currently ranked at number twenty on the board of The World’s Best MMA Welterweight fighter.
Salikhov was favored to win this bout and he certainly did not disappoint, and given his vertical shift in ranking he could find himself becoming a top contender if he continues his win streak. Many joked on social media implying that Salikhov was “immortal” and would continue to fight well into his golden years, nonetheless, the Russian fighter received a lot of well-deserved praise for fighting beyond an age when most fighters would have long since been retired making Salikhov an inspiration to fighters young and older. Salikhov’s future in the UFC will largely depend on his ability to face off against younger fighters in a sport that favors much younger fighters.
