Muslim Salikhov vs Carlos Leal Pick, 07/26/2025 Predictions UFC Abu Dhabi Odds

by Josh Schonwald - 7/22/2025

Muslim Salikhov vs Carlos Leal

UFC Abu Dhabi

Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi

Saturday, July 26, 2025

Muslim Salikhov will enter the Octagon with Carlos Leal at UFC Abu Dhabi on Saturday, July 26, 2025. The opening moneyline has Salikhov coming in at +375 while Leal is coming in at -500.

Bryce "Thug Nasty" Mitchell has a career record of 21-5-0. The 41-year-old weighs 170 lbs and stands 5'11". The orthodox fighter has a reach of 70". Said Nurmagomedov comes in at 5'11" and weighs 170 lbs. The orthodox fighter comes into this bout with a record of 22-6-0. The 31-year-old has a wingspan of 74". Regarding significant strikes, Muslim Salikhov connects on 3.38 per min while Carlos Leal lands 9.65 significant strikes per minute. Salikhov is connecting on 49% of the significant strikes he attempts and Leal is connecting on 50%. In terms of defending in the Octagon, "King of Kung Fu" absorbs 2.90 significant strikes per min and "The Lion" allows 7.73. Salikhov also curbs 62% of the significant strikes his opponents throw his way while Leal curbs 53% of the shots thrown in his direction.

ufc picks Muslim Salikhov ufc predictions best bet odds

UFC Abu Dhabi	Muslim Salikhov	Carlos Leal
Opening Odds	+375	-500
Record	21-5-0	22-6-0
Average Fight Time	10:24	9:38
Height	5'11"	5'11"
Weight	170 lbs	170 lbs
Reach	70"	74"
Strikes Landed Per Minute	3.38	9.65
Striking Accuracy	49%	50%

In terms of wrestling, Muslim Salikhov is the more competent wrestler as he is able to score a takedown 1.08 times per 15 min. Salikhov is taking his opponents to the canvas on 32% of his tries and stopping 72% of all takedown attempts. Leal is taking his opponents to the mat on 25% of his takedown tries and is stopping 90% of all takedowns attempted on him. Regarding submissions, Salikhov is less likely to go for the finish by trying 0.3 subs per 3 rds while Leal attempts 0.8 subs per 15 minutes.

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In his previous bout, Muslim Salikhov went up against Song Kenan and wound up getting the win via a wheel kick to the head in round 1. Kenan landed 11 of 23 total strikes that he let go in that fight. Salikhov ended the night having landed 20 of 28 total strikes. In the significant strikes category, Kenan landed 9 of 21, which gave him a percentage of 42%. He finished the fight landing 4 of 15 significant strikes aimed at the head. On the other side, Salikhov landed 71% of his significant strikes by connecting on 20 of 28. Of all the significant strikes, he was 7 of 14 pointed at the head. 88% of the significant strikes landed by Kenan and 95% of them landed by Salikhov were done at distance.

In the last bout for Carlos Leal, he fought Alex Morono and ended up winning this fight via punches to the head in round 1. Morono ended up connecting on 87% of the significant strikes he tried at a distance and Leal ended up landing 68% of the significant strikes he attempted from distance. Leal ended up landing 65% of his significant strikes attempted by landing 79 of 120. He landed 49 of 89 significant strikes aimed at the head. Morono ended up landing 40 of 95 significant strikes in that battle. Out of all the significant strikes thrown, he ended up connecting on 32 of 82 to the head. Regarding the total strikes thrown in this fight, Morono landed 41 of 96 and Leal connected on 81 of 123 total strikes.

Other fights to watch

One more match to look forward to is when Davey Grant goes up against Da'Mon Blackshear. Grant comes into this fight with a record of 16-7-0. The 39-year-old tips the scales at 135 lbs and measures 5'8". The orthodox fighter has a reach of 69". Blackshear stands in at 5'10" and will fight at 135 lbs. The switch fighter has a record of 17-7-1. The 30-year-old stretches 72". Regarding grappling, Davey Grant takes his opponents down 1.14 times per 15 minutes while Da'Mon Blackshear scores a takedown 1.56 times per 15 minutes. When talking about striking, Grant is connecting on 5.25 strikes per min and connecting on 44% of the strikes that he attempts. On the other side we have Da'Mon Blackshear, who connects on 46% of his attempted strikes and lands 4.70 per min.

One more can't miss bout is when Billy Elekana is set to take on Ibo Aslan. Aslan will be looking to add a victory to his career record of 14-2-0. The 29-year-old tips the scales at 205 lbs and measures 6'3". The orthodox fighter extends his reach 77". Elekana measures in at 6'3" and records a weight of 205 lbs. The southpaw fighter has a mark of 7-2-0. The 30-year-old has a wingspan of 77". Concerning grappling, Ibo Aslan defends against 83% of the takedowns fighters have tried and is taking his opponents to the mat on 15% of his attempts. Elekana is taking his opponents down on 85% of his tries and curbs 15% of the takedowns his opponents attempt. In the matter of striking, Aslan is taking 4.43 strikes/minute and he lands 7.84 per min. Elekana, notwithstanding, is absorbing 5.50 strikes per min and is landing 2.34 per min.

Who will win tonight's UFC match against the spread?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Carlos Leal (-500)

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Muslim Salikhov vs Carlos Leal Pick, 07/26/2025 Predictions UFC Abu Dhabi Odds

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