UFC’s ‘King of Kung Fu’ Muslim Salikhov says bring on Jorge Masvidal – ‘I’m ready for anyone’
- ‘Masvidal is the fight I am after ... One day I am sure this will happen,’ says Salikhov as he looks to climb welterweight rankings
- Dagestan-born fighter still keen on facing Niko Price, but also Stephen Thompson and Santiago Ponzinibbio
Muslim “King of Kung Fu” Salikhov entered the UFC as one of the most accomplished international fighters to sign on with the Las Vegas-based outfit and while his debut didn’t exactly go according to plan the Russian now knows where his future lies.
Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal.
“That’s the fight I am after,” says the 35-year-old Salikhov. “Of course I like Masvidal but I understand he can get a title fight, and I have to beat some other fighters before I get to him. One day I am sure this fight will happen.”
Salikhov (16-2), now on a three-fight win streak, was down to fight Niko “The Hybrid” Price (14-3, one no contest) at UFC Fight Night 172 this past Sunday before the coronavirus crisis forced all major sport events around the world to take an extended break. The Dagestan-born-and-based fighter has for the past few weeks been sitting at home, mostly, and working out, when he can. He’s also been putting plenty of thought into what lies ahead.
“I watch them and I have hopes and plans,” he says. “Santiago Ponzinibbio (28-3) would be good for me. He’s a good striker. We could make a very good fight for the fans. I like Stephen Thompson [15-4-1], the ‘Wonderboy’. It would be a great fight with him.