UBS Arena, New York
16.07.2022, 21:00
UFC on ABC 3 throws up an exciting fight that will have very much interest in China. The main card Welterweight clash between China’s Li Jingling and Russian Muslim Salikhov resonates in Beijing because the two mixed martial artists are also Sanda specialists. This is especially true of Muslim ‘ King of Kung Fu’ Salikhov, one of only two non-Chinese athletes to have won the Wushu Sanda King's Cup.
Both fighters will be hoping a win here takes them into the high end of the Welterweight rankings and a shot at an opponent in the Welterweight upper echelon.
Claim Your Welcome Bonus!Li Jingliang vs Muslim Salikhov Prediction
As Sanda proponents, both fighters are primarily strikers and will go hard at each other with the punches and the kickboxing. At 38, Salikhov is the more experienced and illustrious fighter and the oddsmakers have thus installed him as a favorite. Since losing his debut fight in the UFC in 2017, Salikhov has been unbeaten and is currently on a 5-match streak. Although, that is 5 fights in five years in the promotion.
Listening to Li Jingliang he seems pumped up for the fight and knowing that the entire Chinese Sanda, Kickboxing, and MMA community will be watching eagerly, he will not want to lose this one. Li has a very strong jaw and great cardio and at 34 is four years younger than the aging former King of Sanda. Li is somewhat wary of the veteran Salikhov. This is alluded to in the press statements given by Jingliang when he affirmed that the contest was not a Sanda bout but a mixed martial bout and he expects also to use his elbows, knees, and wrestling skills.
According to him, “We are fighting MMA. There are elbows, knees, and grappling. So, it’s not only striking.”
The Chinese fighter has five submission wins while Salikhov avoids the mat losing by rear naked chokes in previous times. Added to the extra motivation of the millions watching at home and also seeking to revenge for his last loss in the octagon, we think there is enough opportunity here to back Li Jingliang at 2.45 odds for the win.
Tale of the Tape
| Measurement | Li Jingliang | Muslim Salikhov |
| Age | 34 | 38 |
| Height | 6’0’’ | 5’11’’ |
| Reach | 72’ | 69.5’ |
| Record | 18-2-0 | 18-7-0 |
| UFC record | 10-5 | 5-1 |
| Streak | - | 5 |
Expert Betting Tips
The oddsmakers have installed Muslim Salikhov as the favorite with a win for him priced at 1.53 odds on 1xbet while Jingliang is at 2.45 odds on 22bet.
But we back Jingliang.
Fight to go the distance, No is 1.90 odds.
Total Over 2.5 at 1.57 odds.
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