UFC Welterweight Muslim Salikhov entered the debate 'Knock -Out of the Year' at UFC Abu Dhabi.
The UFC Abu Dhabi Prelims contained slick finishes and a horrible injury to start the action. But one UFC-Welterweight made a strong thing for a bonus after the fight with a nasty Walkoff-Knock-out.
Welterweights Muslim Salikhov and former PFL -and -half finalist Carlos Leal helped to kick things at UFC Abu Dhabi. The map became the result of a middleweight matchup between former title holder Robert Whittaker and the Streaking Reinier de Ridder.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Muslim Salikhov returns the clock with Walkoff -Finish at UFC Abu Dhabi
In a matchup between two of the most explosive braawlers of the Welterweight Division, it was the 41-year-old Salikhov who turned the clock back and flattened his Brazilian counterpart.
Salikhov and Leal wasted little time to get in the Octagon at UFC Abu Dhabi. In the first seconds, the two good weights threw hands in a few wild stock exchanges.
But while Leal Salikhov put on his rear foot and with his back to the fence, Salikhov landed a beautifully timed counter hook that stood on the floor and sent the crowd in a rider.
View Salikhov the finish below.
Salikhov dropped Leal 🤯 #ufcabudhabi pic.twitter.com/zzobhWhbtwt
– ESPN MMA (@ESSPNMMA) 26 July 2025
Immediately after the knockout, the UFC Abu Dhabi broadcast received the former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev response to the procedure. Makhachev, who looked stunned when Salikhov walked away with the finish, it is expected that UFC Welterweight champion Jack della Maddalena will be challenged later this year.
Despite the fighting in his forty, Salikhov has now won three consecutive fights, including a rotating Wiel Ko from Number Kenan last November. In the meantime, Leal suffered a big setback after a first round knockout from Alex Morono on UFC 313 earlier this year.
UFC Abu Dhabi Prelims showed one of the most horrible injuries you will ever see
The impressive finish of Salikhov was far from the only remarkable highlight of the UFC Abu Dhabi Prelims. UFC Vederweight Mohammad Yahya was dropped a record six times in his fight with Steven Nguyen and left the Octagon with a swollen left eye.
Hyped UFC Heavyweight Marcus Buchecha suffered a huge upset defeat against Martin Buday in the first fight of the night. Buchecha, a 13-time BJJ world champion, struggled to struggle with Buday in a head-scratching version.
Tabatha Ricci earned a horrible knockout from Amanda Ribas to continue her climb with the rankings of the UFC ladies.