‘Wonderboy’ Vs. ‘King of Kung Fu’?

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

“Wonderboy” is down to scrap another old guy.

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Welterweight knockout artist Muslim Salikhov scored a big win at UFC Abu Dhabi this past weekend (Sat., July 26, 2025) when he floored Carlos Leal in the first round (as one of the card's biggest underdogs) inside Etihad Arena in the United Arab Emirates (watch highlights).

After this awesome knockout win, Salikhov called for a fight against former two-time title challenger Stephen Thompson.

“Hey ‘Wonderboy,’ I want to

fight with you, let’s go,” Salikhov told Michael Bisping in the cage.

“Wonderboy,” who was watching the fight, responded pretty quickly on social media.

“Salikhov showing out for the “old guys” let’s gooo! Respect,” Thompson wrote.

Salikhov showing out for the "old guys" let's gooo! Respect #UFCAbuDhabi

— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) July 26, 2025

From a matchup perspective, this is a perfect fight to make, especially at this stage of their careers.

If the fight does get booked, it would be the bout with the two oldest fighters in the division, with “Wonderboy” being 42 years old and “King of Kung Fu” being 41 years old.

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Thompson (17-9-1) is coming off a controversial split decision loss to Gabriel Bonfim at UFC Nashville a couple of weeks ago and is riding the first three-fight losing streak of his incredible career, getting finished in two of those losses.

Meanwhile, Salikhov has experienced a late-career resurgence and is on a three-fight winning streak, highlighted by two knockout victories (watch here).

Do you like this potential matchup?

---

For complete UFC Abu Dhabi results, coverage and highlights click HERE.

More from mmamania.com:

• Miocic Responds To Pressure From White And Cormier
• White On ‘Possibly’ Stripping Miocic
• UFC 249 Embedded: Rousey Nearly Knocked Out Cruz?
• Midnight Mania! Sterling Vs. Sandhagen Possible June 6 Headliner
• UFC 249 Odds, Under Dogs And Best Bets!
• Khabib Plans July Return, Vows To ‘Smash Them All’
• Video! Jacare Breaks Social Distancing Rules Prior To UFC 249 Removal