Song Kenan vs Muslim Salikhov Odds, Picks & Predictions

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

This pair of action-heavy welterweights should be full of dramatic moments, and Salikhov may have enough left in the tank to fend off Song. UFC odds have Salikhov as a -190 favorite and Song is a +150 underdog.

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

Kenan vs Salikhov prediction and pick

Match analysis

Although Muslim Salikhov was barely scratched by Santiago Ponzinibbio in his last fight, he is starting to show his age at 40 years old. He slows down, which is problematic for someone who already fights conservatively, as he now has to be even more reasonable. Fortunately for him, Song Kenan’s limitations may 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 moves. He’s a tough forward who can be relied on to fight when needed and remains defensively sound, which has been key to his longevity in the division. While Salikhov wouldn’t be confused with the welterweight elite, he is 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 is compromised by his questionable fighting IQ. He’s constantly looking to detonate a big shot, and if the opportunity doesn’t arise, he struggles to adjust. 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 is no doubt that 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 punches. Song’s inability to execute a diverse game plan beyond filling up for power shots will be the deciding factor in this matchup.

Salikhov may not have many fights left at this point in his career, but this is certainly one of them. I pick Salikhov to survive Song and ensure 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 won’t throw anything without bad intentions behind him, there’s a chance Salikhov can blow him up early.

It wasn’t that long ago when lesser strikers were wearing Song down and out, so I like Salikhov’s chances to win this fight by knockout.

The 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 from 11-21.

The song Kenan vs Muslim Salikhov story of the tape

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