ABU DHABI – Muslim Salikhov beat Nordine Taleb with a first-round knockout Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi.
Take a look inside the fight with Salikhov, who was fighting for the first time in 17 months after a U.S. Anti-Doping Agency suspension.
Result: Muslim Salikhov def. Nordine Taleb via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 4:26
Updated records: Salikhov (15-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC), Taleb (15-7 MMA, 7-5 UFC) (KO1)
Key stat: Salikhov has 14 of his 15 career wins by stoppage, including a dozen knockouts.
Salikhov on the fight’s key moment
“I knew when I hit him, it had a good chance of finishing the fight. The referee stopped me, so I knew it was good.”
Salikhov on getting another first-round finish
“I try to finish all my fights inside the first round. If you look at my record I’ve won all my fights in the first round so I was ready for that.”
Salikhov on what he wants next
“I don’t care who is next – I will take anyone. Maybe Li Jingliang from China. He’s a good fighter. He’s a star in China. I’m very popular in China, so it will be a good fight.”
To hear more from Salikhov, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
