Muslim Salikhov proved age is just a number earlier today (Sat., Nov. 23, 2024) at UFC Macau LIVE on ESPN+ from inside Galaxy Arena in Macau, China, when the 40-year-old veteran put a brutal stop to welterweight Song Kenan with a wild first-round knockout (spinning wheel kick). Salikhov becomes the only fighter in UFC history to have two finishes by way of spinning wheel kick.
Despite his age, Salikhov still came into this main card bout as a betting favorite. “King of Kung Fu” hasn’t shown much of a decline of late, but he’s produced a 2-3 record over his last five outings and needed a standout performance entering the new year. Let’s just say Salikhov more than set himself up for 2025.
The two veteran fighters went back-and-forth for the majority of the first round. With just over a minute left on the clock Salikhov uncorked a wild spinning wheel kick. Kenan dropped his hands as the kick was coming around and left himself wide open. Salikhov’s heel crashed into his chin and that was all she wrote. Kenan dropped to the canvas like a sack of potatoes and the referee was quick to follow for the official stoppage.
Check out the finish below:
SPINNING WHEEL KICK KO #UFCMACAU pic.twitter.com/25KJ8OqmSx
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) November 23, 2024
Salikhov, who turned 40 this past June, has now won his second fight in a row at 170 pounds. The former kickboxing standout is now 8-4 as a member of the UFC welterweight division and plans to continue his knockout ways heading into the new year. This win could even give “King of Kung Fu” a shot at the top 15 his next time out.
For complete UFC Macau results, coverage, and highlights, click HERE.