Last week, in the UFC Fighting Night tournament, Li Jingliang won the Russian "Sanda Tsar" Muslim Salikhov and received a $50,000 bonus after the game.
When the two of them played in the second round, Li Jingliang knocked down Muslimu with a heavy punch with a backhand, and immediately smashed the opponent on the ground continuously, and the referee immediately called off the game, and Li Jingliang TKO won.
The match has a special significance for Li Jingliang, because his opponent Muslimu is a household name Sanda superstar in China, not only the Beijing Olympic Sanda champion, but also the world Sanda champion of many years, with the reputation of "the king of kung fu".
"I know Muslimu is a very good boxer and I have a lot of respect for him because he's promoting Chinese Kung Fu Sanda to the world and I know it's going to be a fierce battle." Before the game, Li Jingliang told the media.
Although Li Jingliang defeated Muslimu, he had great respect for Muslimu. He believes that both of them have important significance in promoting Chinese martial arts.
"I think the fans are not only interested in us, but also in all the Chinese boxers and Chinese kung fu, and the credit belongs to both of us." Li Jingliang said.
"I know Muslimu is a very good opponent, the technique is very comprehensive, I know it's going to be a fierce game and I've prepared a lot for that. But this is MMA, anything can happen, this victory doesn't just belong to me, it belongs to my team and all the people who support me. Li Jingliang continued.
In the UFC 267 match last October, Li Jingliang was ended by Chimayev's naked hanging in the first leg, although he failed, but the 34-year-old Li Jingliang said that he learned a lot in that failed experience, and the confrontation with Chimayev made him stronger.
"I respect Chimayev because he beat me and I think he is a very strong opponent. I learned a lot from him that failure is the mother of success, so that experience made me stronger. Li Jingliang said.