Nicolas Dalby got the better of Muslim Salikhov tonight at UFC On ESPN 47 in Las Vegas to win by uanimous decision.
Round One:
Body kick lands for Dalby early. Salikhov with a solid leg kick. Dalby going to the body again with a kick and Salikhov continuing to look for that calf kick.
Salikhov starting to bring some punches into his work now. He lands a good right hook. Another solid punch from him.
Head kick for Dalby hurts Salikhov but he responds by landing a takedown. Dalby quickly gets back up though as the round draws to a close.
Round Two:
Dalby working or a takedown early in round two, but Salikhov defends against the cage and turns into him. Dalby lands a knee upstairs as they clinch up.
They break apart. Spinning hook kick threatens from Salikhov. Dalby works a couple of kicks. He presses forward but Salikhov greets him with the jab. He’s still coming forward though and works for a takedown against the cage again. Salikhov catches a leg though and ends up bringing him to the mat instead.
Dalby drives back up to his feet and soon after he manages to land his own takedown and quickly moves to mount. Salikhov gets back to half-guard, but then Dalby takes his back. Dalby trying to work for a potential twister from this position. It doesn’t pay off though as Salikhov defends and gradually works back to his feet.
Dolby still pressing Salikhov into the cage though. They break apart and Dalby lands punches and then a kick upstairs as Salikhov is trying to move away. Dalby continues to pressure and Salikhov drops to the mat just before the round ends.
Round Three:
Dalby straight back to pressuring and lets his hands go. Now a head kick attempt that’s blocked. He tries for that again but it doesn’t get through.
Punches down the pipe for Dalby and then moves forward to clinch against the cage. Salikhov briefly turns into him, but then Dalby does the same.
Now they break apart and Dalby lands a couple of right hands. Salikhov threatens with a left hook. Front kick to the body from him, but Dalby throws a brief flurry of punches and steps into the clinch again.
Salikhov turns into him and lands a punch to the body as he backs out. Dalby charges forward as Salikhov backs away and launches a head kick at him and then re-engages in the clinch on the opposite side of the Octagon.
Relentless clinch work from Dalby and looking to land knees too. Now an elbow too. Salikhov lands a punch, but Dalby just fires back with punches and a kick.
Now Dalby lands a takedown and gets quickly into full mount. Salikhov gets back to half-guard as the round ends.
Decision:
Dalby was able to find success here by pushing the pace and being the more aggressive fighter, troubling Salikhov with some big head kicks along the way to help secure a unanimous decision victory (30-27 x2, 29-28).
