Laureano Staropoli

Muslim Salikhov vs. Laureano Staropoli

Round 1
To open up the main card, we are treated to a potentially thrilling matchup of two strikers as "The King of Kung Fu" Salikhov (15-2, 2-1 UFC) crosses paths with "El Matador" Staropoli (9-1, 2-0 UFC). The third man in the cage is referee Thomas Fan. The two men touch gloves, but neither man engage for the first 30 seconds. Suddenly, Salikhov bursts forward with a big right hand, and as Staropoli ducks out of the way, he tries to throw a spinning back fist. The crowd is not amused by their lack of engagement, so Salikhov tries to placate the masses with a spinning wheel kick that barely misses. Salikhov digs in a body kick, so Staropoli switches stances to not be open to that kick. The two men clash together with punches, and as they back away, Staropoli tries to throw a spinning wheel kick of his own but is nowhere near the target. A head kick is blocked just in time from Salikhov, and as Staropoli tries to fire back, Salikhov catches him with a right hand on the way in. Salikhov hammers a spinning back kick to the Argentinian's body, and then backs away to avoid a reply. Staropoli sneaks up a head kick that surprises Salikhov, and he follows that with a spinning back kick that Salikhov parries. As Salikhov comes in, Staropoli throws an unexpected spinning back elbow, but it does not land flush as Salikhov disengages. Salikhov fires a lightning-quick spinning wheel kick and Staropoli is just able to get out of the way in time. As he tries to go spinning kick for spinning kick with Salikhov, Staropoli is rarely able to land with these strikes while Salikhov is at least connecting in some capacity. The round ends, thereby setting a recent record for the most uses of the word "spinning" in a single round of Sherdog.com play-by-play.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Salikhov
Cole Shelton scores the round: 10-9 Salikhov
John Brannigan scores the round: 10-9 Salikhov

Round 2
The second round opens with a ferocious spinning kick from Salikhov that lands right on the arm of Staropoli, whose forearm reddens immediately. Not to be outdone, Staropoli tries to load up with a spinning back first that Salikhov ducks. Staropoli nails Salikhov with a head kick, but the Russian eats it without issue and stoically nods at his opponent. As Staropoli tries to throw another high kick, he is blocked and falls to his back as Salikhov rushes in. Not wanting to deal with a prolonged grappling exchange, Salikhov backs away to unload a heavy body kick. As Staropoli tries to set up another spinning wheel kick, Salikhov is easily out of the way. The Argentine fighter throws a kick that gets caught, allowing Salikhov to throw his man to the cage floor. Staropoli gets up and takes a spinning back kick to the midsection. A huge right uppercut hurts Staropoli, and smelling blood, Salikhov is unleashing fire and fury in the form of hellacious punches and kicks. Staropoli manages to circle out of danger and survive, although a big mouse has immediately appeared under his right eye. Salikhov cracks Staropoli with a right hand, and although he takes it, the right continues to land for the Russian. Staropoli whiffs with another spinning back kick, and the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Salikhov
Cole Shelton scores the round: 10-9 Salikhov
John Brannigan scores the round: 10-8 Salikhov

Round 3
One last touch of gloves opens the final stanza, and sensing he is down on the scorecards, Staropoli presses the pace with a bevy of punches until Salikhov closes the distance to clinch up. Staropoli breaks free and loads up on a right hand, but Salikhov has his guard up in time. The Russian digs to the body with a straight right, but he eats a right hook from Staropoli in the process. Salikhov pops Staropoli with a short right, and he follows that with a spinning wheel kick that buzzes the hair of his opponent. Salikhov blocks a spinning back fist, and the two swing wildly until Salikhov grabs hold of Staropoli and drags him down for a moment. "El Matador" pops back up and separates, landing two powerful punches to the body. Salikhov sinks in another spinning back kick to the body that would make Dennis Siver blush, but Staropoli absorbs it and tries to fire back with a spinning back elbow that is well short of the mark. As Staropoli winds up with a right hand, Salikhov is much quicker to stop the advancement, even throwing out yet another spinning back kick that lands flush. Staropoli scores a few more punches to the body, but his spinning strikes are nowhere near his intended target. He does land a head kick, but Salikhov catches it and thinks about a takedown before Staropoli backs off. Throwing with desperation, Staropoli gives everything he has into several looping hooks, but it is Salikhov that scores successfully with the counters until this fun fight comes to an end. This is the second time that Salikhov has ever reached the scorecards, but he should take home a clear-cut victory.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Salikhov (30-27 Salikhov)
Cole Shelton scores the round: 10-9 Salikhov (30-27 Salikhov)
John Brannigan scores the round: 10-9 Salikhov (30-26 Salikhov)

The Official Result
Muslim Salikhov def. Laureano Staropoli via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-28)