Randy Brown vs. Muslim Salikhov is the fight that will kick off the UFC 296 action on the afternoon of Saturday, December 16. That, however, isn’t the only interesting thing about this early preliminary fight broadcasted by ESPN+ (and UFC Fight Pass).
The bout is interesting for many other reasons, including the fact that the Brown vs. Salikhov odds are relatively close. Brown, who’s 17-5 overall, is seen as a slight favorite, but we don’t think Salikhov (19-4) should be underestimated.
Before Betting on Brown vs. Salikhov UFC 296 Early Preliminary Fight
Randy Brown is a great striker who lands 4.38 significant strikes per minute on average and who’s not afraid to get hit. In fact, this guy has been knocked down four times in the UFC, but only once did he fail to get back to his feet. And even then, he only lost by technical knockout.
He’s good when it comes to wrestling, with his takedown defense being 74%. However, there’s a big question mark over whether he can defend against Muslim Salikhov’s TDs.
The Dagestani fighter is making 1.31 takedowns per 15 minutes, making at least one in each of his last four fights.
He’s great wrestling-wise, but his strongest weapon is striking. This guy’s got a background in kickboxing, where his record was 185-13. This is why it’s no surprise his knockout-to-win ratio is just under 69%.
Randy Brown vs. Muslim Salikhov Prediction
| Offshore Sportsbook | Randy Brown | Muslim Salikhov |
|---|---|---|
| BetOnline | -190 | +165 |
| MyBookie | TBA | TBA |
| BetUS | -190 | +160 |
| SportsBetting.ag | -190 | +165 |
| XBet | TBA | TBA |
Oddsmakers think Randy Brown is more likely to win this early preliminary fight, but we have to disagree. Muslim Salikhov is a fantastic fighter who definitely has what it takes to outstrike his opponent at UFC 296.
Pick: Muslim Salikhov
