UFC 251 Predictions
2. Muslim Salikhov Vs. Elizeu Zaleski Dos Santos
This is another fight that has banger written all over it as the Wushu kickboxing specialist Salikhov goes up against a capoeira fighter in dos Santos.
Salikhov is a multiple-time Wushu champion and the only non-Chinese person to ever win the Wushu Sanda King's Cup. He's not called 'The King of Kung Fu' for nothing and after falling short in his debut has looked dynamite, racking up three straight wins. He separated his first two opponents from their brain-cells before dominating Laureano Staropoli.
Elizeu is no slouch, however, and after three highlight-reel finishes seemed to be on his way up the rankings before running into the fists of Li Jingliang. He has the skills to give Muslim trouble with his awkward style, but he cannot come into the bout looking like he has in his last two fights.
Both men have power and speed, but Salikhov has looked insanely sharp in his last few match-ups with lightning in his kicks fighters can only dream of. Elizeu on the other hand was finished via strikes in August before putting on a flat performance against Alexey Kunchenko, just edging his opponent via very close decision.
Salikhov's tight striking and expert precision should net him another impressive finish.
Prediction: Salikhov via TKO.