Song Kenan vs Muslim Salikhov Prediction: Well-matched welterweights square off

Song Kenan takes on Muslim Salikhov this Saturday, November 23 at the Galaxy Arena in Macau. The fight takes place at UFC Fight Night 248, headlined by a bantamweight clash between Petr Yan and Deiveson Figueiredo. TNT Sports will broadcast the show live.

Here are my Kenan vs Salikhov predictions ahead of this welterweight battle.

On the surface, this is quite clear-cut stylistically. Salikhov has 13 knockouts in 20 wins compared with two submissions and five decisions. He’s coming to duke it out, you would assume. 

Kenan meanwhile is a more well-rounded competitor: nine submissions, nine knockouts and four decisions. Sure, he can throw down, but if this match-up hits the mat you’d have to favour the Chinese star.

Kenan will have the backing of the crowd too, fighting in his home country for the first time in five years. His previous UFC visits to China have been a mixed bag. Kenan knocked out Bobby Nash in 15 seconds on his UFC debut in Shanghai back in 2017. He has gone 1-1 in his homeland since, losing to Alex Morono on points and beating Derrick Krantz by the same method.

In wider terms, the Tangshan man has won two of his last three fights. Kenan was successful last time out, taking a unanimous nod over former WSoF champion Ricky Glenn. It was his third consecutive fight to end on points. While Kenan is well-rounded, his cutting edge does seem to have deserted him recently.

Knockout artist Salikhov has suffered similar troubles. The ‘King of Kung Fu’ has not finished an opponent in two years, since his memorable spinning-wheel kick against Andre Fialho. Since that Performance of the Night in Vegas, Salikhov has been the distance twice with a 1-1 split and lost via knockout to Randy Brown in his three fights.

This fight provides a big platform for two men who have struggled for consistency. Barring a rarely-glimpsed draw, someone will emerge from this encounter with plenty of momentum. Both men secured a first win after defeat last time out. Leaving Macau on a two-fight streak could be a tremendous boon to the victor.

Conversely, whoever loses will find themselves in trouble. Both fighters have lost three of their last five fights. Another reverse will push them right to the back of the queue and perhaps even put their UFC future at risk. 

It is a testament to the matchmakers that these men are so well-matched in the age and in terms of circumstances. A fight doesn’t need a championship on the line to have immense stakes. This bout will be fascinating due to the sheer need to win for both Kenan and Salikhov.

Song Kenan vs Muslim Salikhov Fight Odds

Kenan is 6/4 to get the job done in Macau. Salikhov is priced at 8/15 to prevail.

UFC Fight Night: Yan vs Figueiredo Full Card

Main Card

Petr Yan vs. Deiveson Figueiredo

Yan Xiaonan vs. Tabatha Ricci

Song Kenan vs. Muslim Salikhov

Wang Cong vs. Gabriella Fernandes

Volkan Oezdemir vs. Carlos Ulberg

Zhang Mingyang vs. Ozzy Diaz 

Preliminary Card 

Xie Bin vs. Zhu Kangjie

Baergeng Jieleyisi vs. You Su-young

Kiru Singh Sahota vs. Choi Dong-hun

 Shi Ming vs. Feng Xiaocan

Nyamjargal Tumendemberel vs. Carlos Hernandez

Lone'er Kavanagh vs. Jose Ochoa

Xiao Long vs. Quang Le 

Maheshate Hayisaer vs. Nikolas Motta

Song Kenan vs Muslim Salikhov Prediction

Kenan has not been finishing fights recently, which means I don’t see a repeat of Salikhov’s knockout loss to Randy Brown. Salikhov meanwhile has one knockout and four decisions in his last five wins. I think we’re going the full distance here.

Who does that favour? Well Salikhov is the favourite, but I think over three rounds Kenan’s more well-rounded game is better-suited. He also has youth on his side, a comparatively fresh 34 to Salikhov’s 40.

My pick is a Kenan upset at 6/4.

You can find all our latest UFC betting tips and analysis at our Betfred Insights UFC page