Muslim Magomedovich Salikhov, known as the “King of Kung Fu,” is a renowned Russian professional mixed martial artist and Sanda fighter.
Competing in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Salikhov has made a name for himself with his exceptional skills and achievements in martial arts.
You can follow Muslim Salikhov’s net worth, fight purses, career details, earnings, personal details, wife, career stats, and more here.
About Muslim Salikhov
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Muslim Magomedovich Salikhov |
| Nickname | King of Kung Fu |
| Birth Date | June 9, 1984 |
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Weight | 77 kg (170 lbs) |
| Birthplace | Buynaksk, Dagestan, Russia |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Religion | Islam |
| College | Attended Dagestani sports-dedicated school |
| Turned Professional | 2011 |
| Current Net Worth | $120,000 |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife | Unknown |
| Instagram Profile | @kungfu_king_ufc |
Muslim Salikhov was born on June 9, 1984, in Buynaksk, Dagestan, Russia. He is of Kumyk ethnicity and grew up in a region known for its rich martial arts tradition.
He began training in Wushu Sanda at the age of 9 at the Five Directions of the World school in Buynaksk, a renowned institution for martial arts education.
Early Career
Muslim Salikhov won his first gold medal at the 8th World Wushu Championships in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Additionally, he won the gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Wushu Tournament held in conjunction with the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the gold medal in the 2013 Combat Games in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Salikhov’s most notable achievement in Wushu Sanda was winning the “King of Kungfu” competition in Chongqing, China, in 2006, becoming the first non-Chinese fighter to claim the title
Professional Career
Muslim Salikhov began his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) career in July 2011. Over the next year and a half, he earned a record of two wins and one loss.
By early 2013, Salikhov signed with M-1 Global, preparing with Phuket Top Team for his mixed martial arts debut. He fought three times for the promotion, going undefeated during this run.
Beginning in 2015, Salikhov fought for various regional promotions in China and Russia. His most notable victory was against Melvin Guillard, which he won by spinning a hook kick.
On October 19, 2017, Salikhov signed with the UFC. In his debut for the promotion, Salikhov faced Alex Garcia on November 25, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 122. He lost the fight via submission in the second round.
Salikhov’s most recent UFC victory was against Andre Fialho in November 2022, where he secured a TKO win with a spinning wheel kick and punches in the third round. This performance earned him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
Wife
Muslim Salikhov is married, but the name of his wife is unknown. He lives with his wife, son, and daughter in his hometown of Buynaksk, Dagestan, Russia.
Muslim Salikhov’s Net Worth Details
Muslim Salikhov’s net worth is estimated to be $120,000 as of 2025. This figure reflects his earnings from fight purses and potential endorsements.
Contract
Muslim Salikhov is under contract with the UFC, where he competes in the welterweight division. His contract details, including fight purses, are typically negotiated on a per-fight basis.
Fight Purses
| Event | Opponent | Earnings |
| UFC Fight Night (Nov 2022) | Andre Fialho | $50,000 |
Fight Records
| Event | Opponent | Result | Method | Round | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UFC Fight Night | Santiago Ponzinibbio | Win | Split Decision | 3 | July 13, 2024 |
| UFC Fight Night | Randy Brown | Loss | Straight Right | 1 | February 3, 2024 |
| UFC Fight Night | Nicolas Dalby | Loss | Decision (Unanimous) | – | June 17, 2023 |
| UFC Fight Night | Andre Fialho | Win | TKO (Spinning Wheel Kick) | 3 | November 2022 |
| UFC Fight Night | Francisco Trinaldo | Win | Unanimous Decision | – | June 5, 2021 |
| UFC on ABC 1 | Santiago Ponzinibbio | – | – | – | January 16, 2021 |
| UFC Fight Night 180 | Cláudio Silva | – | – | – | October 18, 2020 |
| UFC 251 | Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos | Win | Split Decision | – | July 11, 2020 |
| UFC on ESPN+ 20 | Laureano Staropoli | Win | Unanimous Decision | – | October 26, 2019 |
| UFC 242 | Nordine Taleb | Win | KO (Punch) | 1 | September 7, 2019 |
| UFC on FOX 29 | Ricky Rainey | Win | TKO (Punches) | 2 | April 14, 2018 |
| UFC Fight Night 122 | Alex Garcia | Loss | Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | 2 | November 25, 2017 |
Stats
| Total Fights | Wins | Losses | Knockouts | Submissions | Decisions |
| 25 | 20 | 5 | 13 | 2 | 5 |
Achievements
- Five-time Wushu Sanda World Champion
- First non-Chinese fighter to win the “King of Kung Fu” title
- Multiple UFC victories, including notable knockouts
- Performance of the Night award in the UFC
FAQs
1. Who is Muslim Salikhov?
Muslim Salikhov is a Russian mixed martial artist and Wushu Sanda fighter competing in the UFC welterweight division. Known as the “King of Kung Fu,” he is a five-time Wushu Sanda world champion and one of the few non-Chinese athletes to win the Wushu Sanda King’s Cup.
2. What is Muslim Salikhov’s MMA record?
Muslim Salikhov has a professional MMA record of 21 wins and 5 losses. He has achieved 14 wins by knockout, 2 by submission, and 5 by decision. His UFC record stands at 8 wins and 4 losses since his debut in 2017.
3. What are Muslim Salikhov’s notable achievements in Wushu Sanda?
Salikhov is a decorated Wushu Sanda athlete, winning five World Championships between 2005 and 2015. He also won gold at the 2008 Beijing Wushu Tournament and medals at the World Combat Games and World Games, establishing himself as one of the best in the sport.
4. Why is Muslim Salikhov called the “King of Kung Fu”?
He earned the nickname “King of Kung Fu” after defeating four Chinese fighters in a single night at the King of Sanda tournament in Chongqing, China, in 2006. This victory made him the first non-Chinese fighter to win the prestigious title.
5. What is Muslim Salikhov’s fighting style?
Salikhov specializes in Wushu Sanda, which combines striking and grappling techniques. He is known for his spinning kicks and powerful strikes, with a preference for knockouts. His grappling skills include a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
6. Where was Muslim Salikhov born, and what is his ethnicity?
Muslim Salikhov was born on June 9, 1984, in Buynaksk, Dagestan, Russia. His ethnicity is Kumyk, a Turkic ethnic group native to Dagestan.
7. How did Muslim Salikhov transition into MMA?
Salikhov began training in MMA after his successful career in Wushu Sanda. He made his professional MMA debut in July 2011 and signed with M-1 Global in 2013 before joining UFC in 2017.
8. What are Muslim Salikhov’s educational qualifications?
Salikhov holds two higher education degrees. Despite his focus on martial arts from an early age, he pursued academic achievements alongside his sports career.
9. What are some of Muslim Salikhov’s signature moves?
His signature moves include spinning hook kicks and spinning back kicks, which have earned him several highlight-reel finishes in both MMA and kickboxing competitions.
10. Does Muslim Salikhov have any family or personal interests outside fighting?
Salikhov is married with three children. He enjoys playing and watching soccer matches and has expressed admiration for major football teams globally. Fighting has always been his primary profession.
