MMA fighters often choose their nicknames to strike fear in their opponents’ hearts. Sometimes, these monikers have a symbolic meaning behind the fighters’ homeland. However, Muslim Salikhov’s nickname connects him to a land far from his own country. Being called the ‘King Of Kung Fu’, the Russian star has proved that he dominated a sport that isn’t native to his homeland. 

But how did the Russian UFC welterweight contender get his moniker rooted in Chinese tradition? Let’s take a deep dive and get to know everything there is to know about Salikhov’s nickname.

All about Muslim Salikhov’s nickname

The Dagestani welterweight contender has trained himself in Wushu-Sanda. This martial arts form has its roots dug deep in Chinese Kung Fu. Needless to say, the art hasn’t really become a mainstream combat sport anywhere except in China. However, Gusein Magomaev, founder of the ‘Five Directions of the World’ school, began the trend of Kung Fu in Russia. This helped Salikhov practice the art of Wushu-Sanda in ‘Russia’s Shaolin Temple’. 

Although the earliest records show Salikhov competing in 2003, it was in 2006 that people began calling him the ‘King Of Kung Fu’. This was at a time when he defeated four Chinese opponents in a competition called Kung Fu King. Talking about the event back in 2022, the Dagestani fighter said, “Before I won the title of King of Kung Fu, a Russian karate team came for a Russia vs. China match. Russia lost, and a heavyweight called Sergei Osipov lost by knockout. Journalists in China found out he was in the security services, I think working in a government close protection team. When I beat four Chinese fighters on the same night, they asked me if Putin sent me to take revenge for Sergei.”

Winning the competition in Chongqing as a non-Chinese fighter made him pretty famous in the Kung Fu community. This made the Chinese fight fans affectionately call him ‘Master Mu’. His signature move, a spinning kick moved him further ahead, with the move being dubbed as ‘dragon snapping his tail’ in Chinese. 

We now know that Muslim Salikhov has a background in a Chinese martial art, and has beat Chinese fighters in the Sanda circuit, prior to his MMA journey. But is he well-known as an entity in China? Let’s find out!

Is the ‘King Of Kung Fu’ popular in China?

‘Master Mu’ has had a pretty flashy career in the world of martial arts. Salikov not only fought and won Wushu championships in Russia, but he also went to China for his fights. He is one of two non-Chinese fighters to have won the Wushu Sanda Kings Cup. He also won gold at the 2008 Beijing Wushu Cup and also won medals at the 2009 World Games and the World Combat Games. On top of that, he is a 5th Dan in Wushu. These achievements got him quite a bit of fame in China, and the welterweight wasn’t surprised by the popularity at all.

Salikov claimed, “First, I’m a champion in their sport. I tell everyone that I come from Chinese martial arts. Also, I have been competing at the highest level in China since 2003, living and training there.” He continued, “When I fought against foreigners, the support was exactly what a Chinese fighter would get. I remember a group of fans came to all my fights. I fought in many cities, and this fan group would appear at all my fights. I remember and really cherish all this.”

Now, the ‘King Of Kung Fu’ is all set to entertain the Chinese audience once again as UFC returns to the country for UFC Macau on 23rd November. Salikhov would display his flashy fighting skills against a Chinese MMA star, Song Kenan. With 25 wins and 5 defeats in his career, Salikhov will indeed try his best to extend his one-fight winning spree. 

What do you think of Salikhov’s monikers? Do you think the Chinese will support him over Kenan? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.