Bahamondes Brings Lightweight Pace Into Salikhov

Ignacio Bahamondes is changing divisions without changing the characteristic that makes this matchup uncomfortable for Muslim Salikhov: volume.

At 6-foot-3 with a 75-inch reach, Bahamondes already carried unusual dimensions at lightweight. Saturday is his welterweight debut after years of increasingly difficult cuts to 155 pounds. The intriguing question is whether removing that drain allows his pressure to become even harder to interrupt, or whether Salikhov discovers a larger target carrying unfamiliar weight.

Bahamondes called Salikhov experienced, explosive, powerful and an excellent kicker, but also described him as much more passive than himself. That distinction frames the fight.

Fifteen Pounds Change the Experiment

Bahamondes told TVN that his body had simply outgrown lightweight. The cut had become increasingly difficult as he matured physically, and his team ultimately decided the move to 170 was overdue.

Bahamondes lands 5.99 significant strikes per minute and owns an eight-inch reach advantage over Salikhov. His offense works through activity, long combinations, and kicks from ranges where shorter opponents spend substantial time crossing open space.

At lightweight, maintaining that pace followed a severe cut. At welterweight, the unanswered question is whether more comfortable preparation produces greater late-round consistency without dulling the speed that made the style effective.

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Salikhov Still Makes Range Dangerous

The physical disparity does not make the outside game harmless. Salikhov has 15 career knockout victories and a deep Sanda background built around timing, kicks, and unusual entries. His 3.37 significant strikes landed per minute is modest beside Bahamondes’ output, but volume has never been his primary weapon. He looks for cleaner moments.

That creates an unusual exchange of incentives. Bahamondes can win minutes simply by producing more offense, while Salikhov benefits every time those longer combinations leave a brief countering window.

His 62% significant-strike defense also suggests he remains capable of making opponents miss despite giving away reach.

The UFC Betting Guide provides additional context for fights where pace and finishing threat point in different directions.

Bahamondes Is Expecting a Faster Body

Bahamondes said he feels “very dangerous” during this camp and believes virtually everything he is throwing carries knockout potential. More importantly, he said he is eager to discover how his body feels inside the Octagon at 170.

That is the real unknown. Salikhov is now 42 and was stopped in 63 seconds by Medić in his most recent appearance. Bahamondes, 29, brings considerably more sustained output and a longer frame. If the move upward preserves his speed, Salikhov will spend long stretches reacting rather than setting the rhythm himself.

The danger remains early, when Salikhov is freshest and Bahamondes’ forward activity creates the clearest counter opportunities. Beyond that opening phase, the younger fighter’s pace increasingly tilts the geometry against him.

Fight prediction: Ignacio Bahamondes by first-round TKO.

Betting Analysis

Bookmaker Sportsbook’s opening line makes Bahamondes -535 and Salikhov +406, with Over 1.5 rounds -140 and Under 1.5 +120.

The moneyline requires an enormous premium. The total offers the more interesting expression of the matchup because both fighters carry genuine early finishing power, while Salikhov’s recent durability introduces additional downside once Bahamondes begins extending combinations.

Betting Lean

Under 1.5 rounds at +120.

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