MMA Preview – Santiago Ponzinibbio vs Muslim Salikhov at UFC on ESPN 59
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
SANTIAGO PONZINIBBIO VS MUSLIM SALIKHOV FACTS
When is UFC on ESPN 59? Sunday 14th July, 2024 - 01:00 (UK)
Where is UFC on ESPN 59? Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC on ESPN 59? Click here to buy tickets for UFC Fight Night
What channel is UFC on ESPN 59 on? TNT Sports 1
Where can I stream UFC on ESPN 59? TNT Sports subscribers can stream the fight online via the TNT Sports website and Discovery+
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
SANTIAGO PONZINIBBIO VS MUSLIM SALIKHOV LOWDOWN
Santiago Ponzinibbio (29-7) appears for the first time this year after only one showing in 2023. That appearance did not go to plan meeting Kevin Holland at UFC 297 and getting sparked out in the third round. That makes him winless since December 2022 when he knocked out Alex Morono at UFC 282 and now sits on a UFC record of 9-6.
Muslim Salikhov (19-5) is finally slowing down at the ripe old age of 40. The Sanda supremo’s last win was a vintage spinning wheel kick knockout over Andre Fialho (2022). Since that ‘Performance of the Night’ he has lost a unanimous decision to Nicolas Dalby (2023) and got knocked out by Randy Brown (2024) denting his UFC tally to 6-4.
SANTIAGO PONZINIBBIO VS MUSLIM SALIKHOV PREDICTION
Both fighters head to Denver proving they can still compete with the best. Ponzinibbio is three years younger with less miles on the clock and is the hefty favourite. He is a quality striker who can hurt from range and keep up a suffocating volume.
Salikhov is also an elite striker and will bounce in and out of range with a larger variety of strikes in particular his kicks. He is more well-rounded with seasoned grappling to call upon. He has a lot more tools at his disposal and there is a lot of value on him as the underdog.
However, he has visibly slowed down in his last couple fights and after that brutal knockout by Brown, we have to back the favourite.
Prediction: Ponzinibbio via Decision
Value Bet: Salikohv to win
