This matchup at UFC Fight Night 248 pits Song's straightforward yet powerful striking and grappling against Salikhov's flashy and unpredictable Kung Fu-based techniques. While Song has youth and grappling on his side, Salikhov’s vast experience and diverse striking arsenal could prove decisive.

Kenan Song

Known as "The Assassin," Song is a 34-year-old welterweight fighter standing at 6'0" and weighing 170 pounds. Representing Black Tiger, Song has an MMA record of 22-8-0, showcasing a balanced skill set with 41% of his wins coming via KO/TKO and another 41% via submission. While he has experienced setbacks, such as a unanimous decision loss to Kevin Jousset in late 2023, Song rebounded strongly with a unanimous decision victory over Ricky Glenn in August 2024. Despite his grappling ability, Song often relies on his striking, making him a dangerous opponent in the welterweight division.

Last Five Fights

1. Win vs. Ricky Glenn – Unanimous Decision (Aug 17, 2024)
2. Loss vs. Kevin Jousset – Unanimous Decision (Dec 9, 2023)
3. Win vs. Rolando Bedoya – Unanimous Decision (Aug 26, 2023)
4. Loss vs. Ian Garry – TKO (Mar 4, 2023)
5. Loss vs. Max Griffin – KO (Mar 20, 2021)

Muslim Salikhov

Nicknamed "King of Kung Fu," Salikhov is a 40-year-old fighter who brings a dynamic striking style to the octagon. At 5'11" and 170 pounds, he is well-known for his unorthodox techniques, including spinning attacks. Salikhov holds a record of 20-5-0, with 65% of his wins by KO/TKO. His last fight saw him secure a split decision victory over Santiago Ponzinibbio in July 2024, though he faced prior losses to Randy Brown and Nicolas Dalby. Salikhov's striking creativity and veteran experience make him a formidable challenge, even as he approaches the later stages of his

Last Five Fights

1. Win vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio – Split Decision (Jul 13, 2024)
2. Loss vs. Randy Brown – KO (Feb 3, 2024)
3. Loss vs. Nicolas Dalby – Unanimous Decision (Jun 17, 2023)
4. Win vs. Andre Fialho – TKO (Nov 19, 2022)
5. Loss vs. Jingliang Li – TKO (Jul 16, 2022)

Prediction

This fight could go either way, but Song Kenan might have the edge due to his durability and ability to exploit Salikhov's potential cardio issues in later rounds. Expect Song to mix grappling with striking, pushing Salikhov into uncomfortable positions. A decision win or a late-round submission victory for Song is likely if he avoids early exchanges with Salikhov’s striking power.