Muslim
Salikhov has withdrawn from a proposed welterweight clash
against Santiago
Ponzinibbio at the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s first event
of 2021.
Salikohov announced his exit in an Instagram post, citing health
issues that arose after contracting COVID-19 in September. UFC
Fight Night takes place Jan. 16 on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi and his
headlined by a featherweight bout pitting Max
Holloway against Calvin
Kattar. It is unclear if the promotion will seek a replacement
foe for Ponzinibbio.
Salikov is currently on a four-bout winning streak in UFC
competition. He last appeared at UFC 251, where he earned a
split-decision triumph over Elizeu
Zaleski dos Santos on July 11.
Ponzinibbio hasn’t competed in the Octagon since November 2018,
when he knocked out Neil Magny in
the fourth round of the UFC Fight Night 140 headliner. The
34-year-old Argentinian is currently on a seven-fight winning
streak.