'King of Kung Fu' Explains 'Wonderboy' Callout: 'It’s Going to Be Fun for Everyone'

Muslim Salikhov is seeking an age-appropriate fight against a big name for his next Octagon appearance.

“The King of Kung Fu” earned his third consecutive triumph — and second straight first-round KO — when he vanquished Carlos Leal just 42 seconds into the opening frame of their preliminary middleweight contest at UFC Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

SALIKHOV DROPPED LEAL 🤯 #UFCABUDHABI pic.twitter.com/zZObhwHBtW

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 26, 2025

“This guy is very tough. I think no one [expected that I would] will knock him out. I’m very happy that I’m the first man who did it,” Salikhov said in a backstage interview with the UFC.

“I expect always. I believe in my punches and kicks that I can finish anyone. I feel that my striking is better than anybody in my weight division.”

After the victory, Salikhov called for a showdown with Stephen Thompson. “Wonderboy” turned 42 years old earlier this year and is on a three-fight losing streak within the Las Vegas-based promotion.

Salikhov: Time is Right for Matchup with Ex-Title Challenger

With Thompson not on the brink of contention as he has been in the past, Salikhov believes the time is right for the two strikers to meet in the Octagon.

“A long time I ask for fight with ‘Wonderboy.’ I hope it’s gonna happen,” he said. “This guy is 41 [Thompson is actually 42] years young. Me too, the same. We are still good. He’s not ranked now. We can do it. It’s going to be fun for everyone.

“It’s stylistically different striking, but at the same time it’s a high-level striking match.”

"I feel like my striking is better than anyone in my weight division."

Muslim Salikhov calls out Stephen Thompson after knocking out Carlos Leal in the first round at #UFCAbuDhabi.@VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi

— UFC News (@UFCNews) July 26, 2025