Welterweight Li Jingliang was 1-2 heading into UFC Long Island on Saturday, where he was paired up with paired up with Muslim Salikhov.
A tough match-up for anyone in the division, Salikhov had won five straight, and was unbeaten since his promotional debut in 2017.
Jingliang was happy to spoil that streak at the UBS Arena in Elmont, NY on Saturday afternoon.
Salikhov dazzled on the feet in the opening round, and attacked the body with a spinning back kick towards the end of the frame. A spinning back-fist would follow, while Jingliang, a.k.a. “The Leech” had his best moments when the fight went to the ground earlier in the round. More spinning attacks by Salikhov came late in the first, while Jingliang was throwing single strikes, loading up — and all to often, he hit nothing but air.
China’s Jingliang pressed forward in the second, and a spinning attack by Salikhov played right into his hands. Jingliang ducked under the back fist and took Salikhov down, moving into half-guard. Salikhov scrambled up and out, but he appeared to have slowed. Coming into the final minute, Jingliang pressed again and landed a big right hand. Salikhov was hurt; moments later, Jingliang added an elbow. A final heavy right hand felled Salikov, set up by a left hook, and as Li Jingliang moved in to seal the deal, the ref made the save.
THE LEECH STOPS SALIKHOV 🤯@UfcJingliang with the Round 2 KO at #UFCLongIsland!!
🇨🇦: live on @UFCFightPass, TSN, & RDS pic.twitter.com/QrnuEq1rj9
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) July 16, 2022
Official Result: Li Jingliang def. Muslim Salikhov by TKO (punches), Round 2, 4:38
