A new welterweight bout is set for UFC 251 next month as Elizeu Zaleski Dos Santos will face Muslim Salikhov.
Dos Santos is entering with a solid win over Alexey Kunchenko at UFC Fight Night 170. While the welterweight suffered a setback in his fight against Li Jingliang, the Brazilian has managed to get four victories in his last five fights, notably beating Sean Strickland (via KO at UFC 224) and Luigi Vendramini (via KO at UFC Fight Night 137). Dos Santos’ professional record currently stands at 22 wins and 6 losses.
Salikhov is currently riding a strong three-fight winning streak by getting wins over Ricky Rainey (via KO at UFC on FOX 29), Nordine Taleb (via KO at UFC 242), and Laureano Staropoli (via unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 162). The welterweight has only lost one fight since transitioning into the UFC back in 2017. Salikhov’s professional record currently stands at 16 wins and 2 losses.
UFC 251 will take place at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi with Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns for the welterweight title in the main event. Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway will fight for the featherweight championship in the co-main event, and Petr Yan and Jose Aldo will compete for the vacant bantamweight title.