Song Kenan vs Muslim Salikhov Odds, Picks & Predictions

Kenan Song vs. Muslim Salikhov is a bout between two solid strikers serving as one of our featured attractions on the UFC Fight Night undercard.

This pairing of action-heavy welterweights should be filled with dramatic moments, and Salikhov just might have enough left in the tank to turn Song away. UFC odds have Salikhov as a -190 favorite, and Song is a +150 underdog.

Here are my best free UFC Fight Night: Song vs. Salikhov predictions from the Galaxy Arena in Macau.

Kenan vs Salikhov prediction and pick

• My fight prediction
  Salikhov ML (-190 at BET99)
  
  
• My best bet
  Salikhov by KO (+210 at BET99)

Fight analysis

Even though Muslim Salikhov barely scraped by Santiago Ponzinibbio in his last fight, he’s starting to show his age at 40. He’s slowing down, which is problematic for someone who already fights conservatively, as he now has to be even more judicious. Fortunately for him, Song Kenan’s limitations might give him a bit more longevity in the division. The hard hitter from Hebei is painfully one-dimensional. While Song’s power makes him a threat to anyone, Salikhov, even past his prime, can still handle pure strikers who can’t push the pace.

Salikhov fights like a seasoned veteran, meaning everything he does is calculated, with no wasted movement. He is a stiff striker who can rely on grappling when needed and remains defensively sound, which has been key to his longevity in the division. Though Salikhov wouldn’t be mistaken for the welterweight elite, he’s a solid journeyman with notable wins over his career and still fights at a higher level than Song does.

Song is a vicious striker, but he’s compromised by his questionable fight IQ. He constantly looks to detonate a big shot, and if the opportunity doesn’t materialize, he struggles to adapt. This one-dimensional approach often leaves him open to being picked apart, as evidenced by his stoppage losses in two of his last three defeats.

There’s no doubt Song could catch Salikhov with a big shot and put him in a bad spot. Fighters like Randy Brown and Li Jingliang have hurt Salikhov in the past, but both are far more complete fighters than Song and would likely have similar success against him.

Salikhov’s tight defense and ability to take Song to the mat as a backup plan will likely neutralize Song’s striking. Song’s inability to execute a diverse game plan beyond loading up for power shots will be the deciding factor in this matchup.

Salikhov may not have many winnable fights left at this stage in his career, but this is certainly one of them. I’m picking Salikhov to outlast Song, ensuring that the “King of Kung Fu” lives to fight another day.

Best best analysis

With Song’s inability to throw punches in bunches, and the fact that he’s going up against a stiff striker who will not throw anything without bad intentions behind it, there’s a chance Salikhov could bust him up early.

It wasn’t too long ago when lesser strikers were putting Song down and out, so I like Salikhov’s chances of winning this fight by knockout.

Song Kenan vs Muslim Salikhov odds

Method of Victory	Kenan	Salikhov
To win outright	+150	-190
To win by KO/TKO/DQ	+575	+210
To win by decision	+305	+185
To win by submission	+1,650	+1,350
Draw	+2,500	+2,500

Odds as of 11-21.

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Song Kenan vs Muslim Salikhov tale of the tape

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