Nicolas Dalby vs Muslim Salikhov Prediction UFC Picks 6/17

© Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Nicolas Dalby vs Muslim Salikhov: Fight Preview

The upcoming welterweight matchup between Nicolas Dalby and Muslim Salikhov is sure to be a thrilling bout. Both fighters possess immense talent and skill in the octagon, making this an intriguing fight. Let's take a look at what we can expect from each fighter.

Nicolas Dalby is known as the "Danish Dynamite" and has a record of 21-4-1 (2NC). He stands at 5'11" and weighs 170lbs, with a reach of 74". He fights in an Orthodox stance and was born on November 16, 1984. Dalby’s career statistics show that he lands an average of 3.74 significant strikes per minute, with a striking accuracy of 41%. He absorbs an average of 3.35 significant strikes per minute with a significant strike defense of 53%. Dalby has an average takedown accuracy of 30% and his takedown defense is at 65%. His average submissions attempted per 15 minutes is 0.1.

Muslim Salikhov, also known as the "King of Kung Fu", has a record of 19-3-0. He has a height of 5'11" and weighs 170lbs, with a reach of 70". Salikhov fights in an Orthodox stance and was born on June 09, 1984. His career statistics show that he lands an average of 3.30 significant strikes per minute, with a striking accuracy of 49%. He absorbs an average of 2.43 significant strikes per minute with a significant strike defense of 67%. Salikhov has an average takedown accuracy of 35% and his takedown defense is at 77%. His average submissions attempted per 15 minutes is 0.0. It is difficult to predict who will come out on top in this matchup since both fighters have similar striking abilities. However, Dalby has the slight edge in submission attempts, which could give him an advantage if the fight goes to the ground. On the other hand, Salikhov's takedown defense is better than Dalby's, which could be crucial if either fighter attempts to take the fight to the ground. Overall, this fight is sure to be a close match with both fighters displaying incredible skills inside the octagon. Fans of the welterweight division won't want to miss this exciting bout at UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs. Cannonier on June 17, 2023.

Nicolas Dalby's Striking

Nicolas Dalby is known for his striking skills, with a significant strikes landed per minute of 3.74 and a striking accuracy of 41%. He has absorbed significant strikes at a rate of 3.35 strikes per minute, but his significant strike defense is at a solid 53%. Dalby has a diverse striking game, utilizing his reach of 74 inches and orthodox stance to land a variety of strikes including punches, kicks, and knees. He also has a decent takedown average of 1.09 per 15 minutes and a takedown defense of 65%. In his last fight against Warlley Alves, Dalby showcased his striking abilities by outlanding Alves in significant strikes (119-66) and earning a unanimous decision victory. He will have the opportunity to further prove his striking prowess in his upcoming matchup against Muslim Salikhov at UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs. Cannonier.

Nicolas Dalby Wrestling Analysis

Nicolas Dalby is a well-rounded fighter who has demonstrated proficiency in both striking and grappling. However, in recent fights, he has showcased a strong wrestling game that has been his key to victory. Dalby's wrestling is perhaps best exemplified in his win against Warlley Alves in UFC 283. Throughout the fight, he relentlessly pursued takedowns and was successful in landing 4 out of 11 attempts. His takedowns were critical in neutralizing Alves' striking and led to him securing a unanimous decision win. His wrestling ability was also on display in his win against Daniel Rodriguez in UFC 255. In this fight, Dalby's takedowns were the deciding factor as he landed 5 out of 8 attempts. He was able to control the pace of the fight with his grappling and again secured a unanimous decision win. Dalby's takedown accuracy is not the highest at just 30%, but he has shown the ability to chain takedown attempts and wear down his opponents. He also has a respectable takedown defense rate of 65%, which suggests that he knows how to avoid being taken down. In his upcoming fight against Muslim Salikhov, it will be interesting to see how Dalby's wrestling fares against Salikhov's striking. Salikhov has shown an excellent ability to defend takedowns, with a defense rate of 77%. However, his wrestling has yet to be truly tested against a high-level wrestler like Dalby. Overall, Dalby's wrestling should not be underestimated. It has become a significant part of his game plan and has led to some of his biggest wins. If he can effectively use his wrestling against Salikhov, he may be able to neutralize his striking and secure another victory.

Muslim Salikhov Striking: 

Muslim Salikhov, also known as the "King of Kung Fu," is one of the most exciting strikers in the UFC. He has a professional MMA record of 19-3-0, with 12 wins by knockout or TKO and 2 wins by decision. Salikhov's striking skills are a result of his background in Sanda, a Chinese martial art that combines striking, wrestling, and throws. Salikhov has an impressive significant striking rate of 3.30 strikes landed per minute with a 49% accuracy, while only absorbing 2.43 significant strikes per minute with a 67% defense rate. His striking accuracy is due to his exceptional timing and distance management. He has a reach of 70 inches, and he utilizes his range well to keep his opponents at bay and launch his explosive strikes. The King of Kung Fu is especially dangerous when he throws kicks. He has a wide range of kicks in his arsenal, including spinning back kicks, roundhouse kicks, and crescent kicks, all of which he throws with lightning speed and precision. Salikhov's kicks have the power to end fights, and he has demonstrated this in several of his fights. In addition to his striking prowess, Salikhov has solid takedown defense, with a 77% defense rate. This makes it difficult for his opponents to take him down and neutralize his stand-up game. However, Salikhov has also shown improvements in his grappling and ground game, as evidenced by his submission attempts in some of his fights. In his upcoming fight against Nicolas Dalby, Salikhov will look to continue his winning ways and showcase his dangerous striking skills. Dalby is a tough opponent, with a 21-4-1 record, but Salikhov has the firepower to end the fight at any moment. Expect Salikhov to utilize his kicks and keep Dalby guessing with his unpredictable striking style.

Muslim Salikhov Wrestling 

Muslim Salikhov is a dominant striker with a background in Sanda, a form of Chinese kickboxing that incorporates throws and takedowns. However, Salikhov has also shown impressive wrestling skills in his fights. In his fight against Nordine Taleb at UFC 242, Salikhov demonstrated his takedown defense as he was able to stuff all six of Taleb's takedown attempts. He also landed a big takedown in the second round, showcasing his offensive wrestling abilities. Salikhov's opponent, Nicolas Dalby, has a decent wrestling game with an average of 1.09 takedowns landed per 15 minutes and a takedown accuracy of 30%. However, he may struggle to take down Salikhov, who has a 77% takedown defense. As a striker, Salikhov's main goal will be to keep the fight on the feet and use his powerful kicks and punches to hurt Dalby. However, if the fight goes to the ground, Salikhov has the grappling skills to hold his own and possibly even submit Dalby. Overall, Salikhov's wrestling skills may give him an advantage in this fight, but his striking will ultimately be the key to victory. If he can keep the fight standing, he has a good chance of scoring a knockout or a dominant decision win.

How Nicolas Dalby Can Win

Nicolas Dalby has a tough challenge ahead in his matchup against Muslim Salikhov, but there are a few key strategies he can use to secure the victory. First, Dalby should utilize his wrestling skills and aim to take Salikhov down to the mat. Salikhov has strong striking abilities, so taking the fight to the ground could neutralize that threat and also allow Dalby to control the pace and positioning of the fight. Dalby should also look to use his reach advantage and keep Salikhov at bay with his jab and other long-range strikes. This will make it harder for Salikhov to close the distance and land his own strikes. Finally, Dalby should focus on his conditioning and pace himself over the course of the fight. Salikhov has impressive knockout power, but he can tire quickly if forced to fight at a high pace. Dalby can use this to his advantage by keeping the fight active and wearing Salikhov down over time. If Dalby can successfully implement these strategies, he has a strong chance to come out with the win in this matchup.

How Muslim Salikhov Can Win Against Nicolas Dalby

Muslim Salikhov can win against Nicolas Dalby by utilizing his striking skills and keeping the fight standing. Salikhov has a significant striking accuracy of 49% and lands 3.30 significant strikes per minute. He should use his powerful kicks and punches to keep Dalby at bay and outstrike him. Salikhov should also focus on takedown defense as Dalby has a takedown accuracy of 30%. If the fight goes to the ground, Salikhov should use his jiu-jitsu skills to defend himself and look for opportunities to get back to his feet. In addition, Salikhov has a significant strike defense of 67%, meaning that he can avoid most of Dalby's strikes. He can use his footwork and head movement to avoid getting hit and counter with his own strikes. Lastly, Salikhov should maintain his cardio throughout the fight as Dalby has shown to be a durable fighter. Salikhov has gone the distance in most of his fights and should aim to push the pace and tire out Dalby in the later rounds. Overall, Salikhov can win against Dalby by utilizing his striking skills, defending takedowns, avoiding strikes, and maintaining his cardio throughout the fight.

Prediction