UFC Abu Dhabi highlights: Muslim Salikhov emerges as one of four performance of the night winners

Abu Dhabi played host to a thrilling night of mixed martial arts as the Octagon returned for UFC on ABC 9, delivering explosive bouts and stellar performances that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Among the event’s biggest talking points was the breakout performance of Muslim Salikhov, who not only won his match in dramatic fashion but also clinched a coveted Performance of the Night bonus.

Lightning-Fast Finish Stuns the Crowd

Salikhov wasted no time making a statement in his welterweight clash against Carlos Leal. In just 42 seconds, “The King of Kung Fu” found a home for his hard-hitting offense, knocking out Leal in the opening minute and sending ripples throughout the Mubadala Arena. Both fans and commentators erupted as the referee called a stop to the action, awarding Salikhov the victory and a $50,000 bonus.

“That finish was all about training, focus, and timing,” said UFC analyst Michael Bisping. “Salikhov showed why he’s still a danger to anyone in that division. That’s a statement knockout.”

Other Standout Performances

Salikhov wasn’t the only fighter to pocket extra cash courtesy of UFC performance bonuses. The event saw three other athletes rewarded for their efforts:

• Steven Nguyen — Scored a spectacular second-round TKO over Mohammad Yahya after setting a UFC record with six knockdowns. The bout was stopped by the doctor at the end of round two, cementing Nguyen’s bonus-winning performance.
• Shara Magomedov vs. Marc-Andre Barriault — The pair delivered a barnburner in their middleweight clash, earning the “Fight of the Night” honors and $50,000 each. Magomedov walked away with a unanimous decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

Main and Co-Main Events Deliver Drama

Beyond the performances of the night, the Abu Dhabi fight card featured high-stakes showdowns. Robert Whittaker faced Reinier de Ridder in a wild, back-and-forth main event. The affair saw both men have their moments — Whittaker landing crisp combinations and scoring a knockdown, while De Ridder battled back with big knees and top control. After five tense rounds, De Ridder claimed a split decision win.

The co-main event featured former bantamweight champion Petr Yan outpointing Marcus McGhee via unanimous decision. Yan’s precision, footwork, and timely takedowns earned him the nod (29-28 across the board), reaffirming his elite status in the division.

Notably, the event was not without its hiccups, as one scheduled fight was canceled at the last minute. For details on the cancellation, check out this report.

Expert and Fan Reactions

Fight analyst Daniel Cormier noted, “Seeing a finisher like Salikhov get his due tells you the UFC is still a place where excitement gets rewarded.”

Meanwhile, many fans took to social media debating whether any bonuses were snubbed. Given Steven Nguyen’s record-setting six knockdowns and Magomedov’s high-octane performance, most agreed the UFC brass got it right this time.

Looking Ahead

As the dust settles in Abu Dhabi, questions turn to what lies ahead for these fighters. Can Salikhov keep his knockout train rolling, and will winners like Nguyen and Magomedov capitalize on their bonus-winning momentum? One thing’s clear: performances like these raise the bar for every card to come.

Source: www.bjpenn.com