Report: Zaleski signs new deal, takes on Salikhov at UFC 251

Photo by Zhe Ji/Getty Images

Welterweight Elizeu Zaleski is expected to meet Muslim Salikhov in July. Flashy welterweight striker Elizeu Zaleski is not going anywhere for a while, as MMA Fighting reports that ‘Capoeira’ has just signed a …

UFC Fight Night Andrade v Zhang: Weigh-Ins

Photo by Zhe Ji/Getty Images

Welterweight Elizeu Zaleski is expected to meet Muslim Salikhov in July.

Flashy welterweight striker Elizeu Zaleski is not going anywhere for a while, as MMA Fighting reports that ‘Capoeira’ has just signed a new four-fight contract with the UFC. According to Combate, he is expected to have the first bout of his new deal at UFC 251, against Muslim Salikhov.

In his last outing, Elizeu Zaleski (22-6) bested Alexey Kunchenko via unanimous decision, back in March. Before the victory, the 33-year-old suffered his first UFC loss since 2015, when he was TKO’d by fellow heavy-hitter Li Jingliang, in August 2019. The defeat snapped a seven-fight win streak for the Brazilian, with four finishes.

Currently on a three-fight winning streak under the UFC banner, Muslim Salikhov (16-2) already bested Ricky Rainey, Nordine Taleb and most recently, back in October 2019, Laureano Staropoli in the Octagon. His only UFC loss happened in his debut, when he was tapped out by Alex Garcia, back in November 2017.

Now, Elizeu Zaleski is expected to take on Muslim Salikhov at UFC 251, on July 11, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The card is scheduled to be headlined by a welterweight title fight between the champion, Kamaru Usman, and top contender Gilbert Burns.