41-Year-Old 'Kung Fu King' Shocks UFC with Walk-Off KO
So, if you haven’t seen what went down at UFC Abu Dhabi recently, buckle up—because 41-year-old Muslim Salikhov, also known as the "King of Kung Fu," just delivered one of the most jaw-dropping finishes of the night. And it wasn’t just a win. It was a straight-up walk-off knockout. One of those rare moments that makes you jump out of your seat, even if you weren’t really paying attention to the prelims.
Salikhov came in as the underdog, facing Carlos Leal, who had built a strong UFC presence with a 22-6 record and a reputation for being a physically dominant welterweight. Leal had already made waves by giving Rinat Fakhretdinov a real challenge and then knocking out Alex Morono. So going into this fight, many expected him to continue that momentum—and honestly, it looked like he might.
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The fight started with Leal doing what he does best—pressuring, coming forward, trying to overwhelm with his boxing. He had Salikhov backed up against the cage, looking to finish early and send a message. But just when it seemed like the veteran might be overwhelmed, Salikhov uncorked a missile of a right hand—an overhand hook that detonated clean on Leal’s chin. Lights out. Just like that.
There was no follow-up. There didn’t need to be. Salikhov knew he landed clean, and he walked off before the ref even had to step in. It was the kind of moment you replay again and again. UFC’s official Twitter called it a stunning walk-off, and they weren’t exaggerating.
With that KO, Salikhov extends his win streak to three, reminding fans that experience and timing can still trump raw power and youth. Let’s not forget, his last win came in 2024 with a spinning wheel kick that knocked out Song Kenan—so it’s safe to say the man has a flair for the dramatic.
As for Leal, this loss sends him back to the drawing board. That forward-charging, high-pressure style might’ve worked before, but it was completely dismantled here. And with this kind of loss, the questions about his ceiling in the UFC are starting to grow louder.
But make no mistake—the night belonged to Muslim Salikhov. At 41, he’s proving that age really is just a number when you’ve still got dynamite in your hands.
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