Tale of the Tape
Result Summary
Ignacio Bahamondes defeated Muslim Salikhov by unanimous decision in a welterweight bout at Noche UFC: Silva vs. Delgado in Glendale, Arizona on September 12, 2026. The fight went the full three rounds, with Bahamondes earning scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28 on the judges' cards. Two of three judges swept all three rounds for Bahamondes; Salikhov took one round on the third card to earn the 29-28 minority score. Bahamondes entered as the heavy favorite and delivered a controlled performance across all three rounds to justify that billing.
Fight Overview
At 42, Muslim Salikhov remains one of the UFC's most distinctive strikers, blending kung fu-influenced technique and a genuine wheel kick threat, but enters this fight on a TKO loss to Uros Medic that snapped a three-fight win streak. Chile's Ignacio Bahamondes makes his welterweight debut after building a reputation as a wild, action-oriented finisher at lightweight, setting up a clash of unorthodox styles that should produce unpredictable exchanges.
Keys to Victory
Muslim Salikhov
- Establish the mid-range striking distance where his unconventional kung fu arsenal and wheel kick threat are most dangerous before Bahamondes settles in.
- Use veteran timing and composure to let Bahamondes overcommit and create the openings for spinning and angled techniques.
- Control the pace and slow Bahamondes's output early rather than matching the younger fighter's energy in an all-out first-round firefight.
Ignacio Bahamondes
- Push a relentless high-volume pace from the opening bell to deny Salikhov the composure and distance needed to load up spinning weapons.
- Use lateral movement and angles to avoid standing stationary in Salikhov's striking lane, where his unorthodox timing creates knockout opportunities.
- Leverage the physical freshness of a younger fighter in a new weight class against a 42-year-old veteran returning from a stoppage loss.
Last 5 fights
Muslim Salikhov
Ignacio Bahamondes
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AI-generated This analysis was generated with AI and may contain errors.