A matchup between two exciting welterweights is on tap for the UFC’s first event of 2022.
Michel Pereira (26-11-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) will take on Muslim Salikhov (18-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) at UFC Fight Night on Jan. 15 in an event that doesn’t yet have a known venue or location.
A person with knowledge of the matchup confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie following an initial report from MMA Fighting. Pereira also confirmed the fight on social media.
A rising contender in the UFC’s welterweight division, Salikhov has quietly put together an impressive five-fight winning streak. The 37-year-old Wushu Sanda world champion is coming off a unanimous decision win over Francisco Trinaldo at UFC Fight Night 189 in June.
Brazil’s high-flying welterweight Pereira was able to snap a two-fight losing skid with three straight wins over Zelim Imadaev, Khaos Williams, and most recently Niko Price at UFC 264 in July.
With the addition to the card, the Jan. 15 lineup now includes:
- Bill Algeo vs. Joanderson Brito
- Ramiz Brahimaj vs. Court McGee
- Saidyokub Kakhramonov vs. Brian Kelleher
- Zarrukh Adashev vs. Kleydson Rodrigues
- Rogerio Bontorin vs. Brandon Royval
- Katlyn Chookagian vs. Jennifer Maia
- Vanessa Demopoulos vs. Ashley Yoder
- Abdul Razak Alhassan vs. Joaquin Buckley
- Jake Collier vs. Chase Sherman
- Viacheslav Borshchev vs. Dakota Bush
