China’s Kenan Song would have had almost no chance against Muslim Salikhov just a few short years ago. However the Russian Sanda specialist is now 40-years-old and looks like he may fall apart after each fight, though he still managed a split decision win over another old vet in his last fight, Santiago Ponzinibbio.
Still, Salikhov is 2-3 in his last five and has to either pace himself slowly or gas out and be easy to finish in the third round.
The problem with Kenan Song is that although he possesses some measure of power and skill on the feet, his volume lets him down. Song gets caught taking pictures and making reads for far too long, and does not press what advantages he does have, even when foes are hurt in front of him.
This plays perfectly into the gameplan of ‘The King of Kung-Fu.’ Salikhov will look to use his educated, rangy Sanda-style kicking attack to maintain distance and score points as he looks to bank a decision.
Song also can mix it up, but Muslim is known for his wrestling defense, having trained against wrestlers in Russia all his life. Still, utilizing the clinch may be a way to control Salikhov and do damage with short strikes. The old fighter conserves his energy and is loath to commit to explosive movements to escape positions like that.
Salikhov is still the pick, but it is entirely possible that Kenan Song also picks up his first knockout since 2020 if the 40-year-old former ranked welterweight is too far past it. A tepid decision for either man is more likely than a knockout, however.
