UFC fan favorite Ignacio Bahamondes is moving up a division for his next fight.
‘La Jaula’ is coming off back-to-back decision defeats against Rafael Fiziev and Tofiq Musayev.
A switch to welterweight all the time seemed inevitable for the 6ft 3in Chilean, whose return to the Octagon was made official on Saturday night.
Which UFC weight class is currently the deepest and most enjoyable?⚖️
Lightweight has all the time been thought to be the very best weight class within the UFC, but several of the divisions are actually catching up.
Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Muslim Salikhov joins Noche UFC
Ignacio Bahamondes’ second fight of 2026 was announced throughout the UFC Abu Dhabi broadcast.
It was revealed that he can be jumping as much as welterweight to tackle Muslim Salikhov at Noche UFC.
The bout matches Bahamondes, 28, with a fighter 14 years his senior at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, on September 12.
Salikhov hasn’t fought since suffering a 63-second knockout loss against Uros Medic last November.
The 42-year-old spinning wheel kick specialist was riding a three-fight win streak into his matchup with Medic.
Who else is fighting at Noche UFC?
It’s currently unclear who will headline the UFC’s latest show celebrating Mexican Independence Day.
Six fights were confirmed for the cardboard every week before Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Muslim Salikhov, and Dan Ige’s move to bantamweight joined Noche UFC on Saturday night.
- Yousri Belgaroui vs. Kelvin Gastelum
- Joseph Morales vs. Brandon Moreno
- Edgar Chairez vs. Tim Elliott
- Curtis Blaydes vs. Waldo Cortes Acosta
- Manon Fiorot vs. Alexa Grasso
- JJ Aldrich vs. Regina Tarin
- Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Muslim Salikhov
- Dan Ige vs. David Martinez
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