As one of the few fighters from China who has tasted a UFC ranking, it’s an important moment for the country any time Li Jingliang steps into the octagon.
MMA is still an evolving sport in Jingliang’s (18-7 MMA, 10-5 UFC) home country, but it has a rich history of combat and martial arts. One of the people who has developed a reputation through his fighting ability in China is Jingliang’s opponent for UFC on ABC 3 this Saturday, Muslim Salikhov.
Salikhov (18-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC), who has the apt nickname of the “King of Kung Fu,” found tremendous success fighting Sanda, which is a form of combat that includes pinpoint striking mixed with throws and takedowns. Salikhov shined under the rules, and racked up plenty of experience fighting that and MMA prior to his entry into the UFC.
That history has put additional spotlight on the matchup with Jingliang, who said the magnitude of the bout is much more significant than many of his others in the UFC.
“Muslim has been a big name in China and has beaten so many Chinese legendary panda fighters,” Jingliang told MMA through an interpreter. “He basically owns all the Sanda awards, especially the 2008 Sanda exhibition fight. So the media has been broadcasting our fight in China because it’s very big in China, me vs. Muslim.”
Salikhov is currently riding a five-fight winning streak in the octagon, but Jingliang will attempt to bring that run to a halt in their welterweight bout, which takes place at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y., and airs on ABC following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.
Although he regards himself as a striker, Jingliang said he will be relying on a complete MMA game to avoid allowing Salikhov to get into a striking flow.
“We are fighting MMA,” Jingliang said. “There is elbows, knees, grappling. So, it’s not only striking. And you guys have seen my striking. My striking is good as well. So, I think the most important is being confident. Maybe people will look short on me, but I have to trust myself so I can get the victory in the octagon.”
After suffering a first-round submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 267 in October, Jingliang is eager to get back on track. He knows there will be a lot of attention on this fight in his home country, and he wants to make his people proud with a win.
“Our fight has brought a very big attention from MMA community in China,” Jingliang said. “I know Muslim is a tough guy and for me I like to fight with tough guys so I can execute a very good fight for the fans.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 3.
Li Jingliang explains why Muslim Salikhov fight at UFC on ABC 3 is ‘very big in China’
