The UFC’s first show of 2021 has already experienced a cancellation.
Welterweight striker Muslim Salikhov revealed on his Instagram that he has withdrawn from his fight with Santiago Ponzinibbio, which was set for January 16th. Salikhov had previously pulled out of an October fight with Claudio Silva. According to the post, Salikhov cited health issues for both pullouts and referenced COVID-19 symptoms he’d developed back in September. (H/T MMA Fighting)
Salikhov (17-2) has won four straight since a disappointing UFC debut loss to Alex Garcia in 2017. The native of Dagestan is coming off a split decision over Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos in July, and also holds knockout wins over Ricky Rainey and Nordine Taleb.