Top Picks for UFC Vegas 37: Anthony Smith vs. Ryan Spann

After a week off from the UFC, we rejoin with UFC Vegas 37: Smith vs. Spann. I know this is not the prettiest card for non-UFC fans, but there is still some great value and exciting matchups inside the card. Read below for my UFC Prediction in the main event Anthony Smith vs. Ryan Spann. 

Anthony Smith vs. Ryan Spann

UFC Light Heavyweight Bout

Saturday, September 18, 2021 - 11:05 PM EDT at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas

Anthony Smith 

Anthony “Lionheart” Smith is an American mixed martial artist currently ranked #6 in the UFC Light Heavyweight division. 

His professional MMA career began in 2008 and fought under many local promotions. After compiling a 13-7 record, Smith signed with Strikeforce. Smith’s Strikeforce debut was in 2011 against Ben Lagman - he won via KO in the second round. 

In 2013, Smith then went on to make his UFC debut against Antonio Braga Neto, but lost via submission in the first round and was subsequently released from the UFC. 

In 2014, Smith then made his Bellator debut against Victor Moreno and won via submission in the second round. He made his return to the UFC in 2016 against Leonardo Augusto Leleco and won via unanimous decision. 

Of all his MMA accomplishments, Smith has achieved: Victory FC Middleweight Championship (one time), Cage Fury Fighting Championships Middleweight Champion (one time), UFC Performance of the Night (five times), and UFC Fight of the Night (one time).

https://twitter.com/btsportufc/status/1438099971492958215

Ryan Spann

Ryan “Superman” Spann is an American mixed martial artist currently ranked #11 in the UFC Light Heavyweight division. 

Spann’s professional career began in 2013 primarily fighting under the Legacy Fighting Alliance where he was the Light Heavyweight Champion. 

He compiled a 13-5 record before appearing on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2017 against Karl Roberson; he lost via KO in the first round. 

In 2018, Spann then went on to make his UFC debut against Luis Henrique and won via unanimous decision. 

Of all his MMA accomplishments, Spann has achieved: Hero FC Middleweight Championship (one time), LFA Light HEavyweight Champion (one time), and UFC Performance of the Night (one time). 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPM1a1mTp_8

Prediction

Although this entire card is “meh”, this main event is decent. The current are: Anthony Smith -158 and Ryan Spann +138 via BetOnline (Sportsbook Review).

Anthony Smith definitely has the greater experience inside the octagon and has faced far superior competition than Spann has. 

Lionheart’s recent losses were against Aleksander Rakic (Unanimous Decision), Glover Teixiera (T/KO), and Jon Jones (Unanimous Decision). His last two bouts were won in the first round by submission and T/KO. 

Spann’s only true threat on the ground is his guillotine choke. Although he has numerous submission wins under his belt, Smith is definitely more well-rounded and experienced on the ground. He just can not give up his back to Superman. 

Spann’s only loss in the UFC is against Johnny Walker by KO in the first round, but we can’t let that lone UFC loss fool you. He has competed in only 6 UFC bouts and has yet to face some of the toughest guys in the division. 

Spann will have the height and reach advantage, so you can predict he will apply the pressure early on to get the finish. But Smith has had more experience inside the octagon with guys his size, so I am not worried about this advantage.

I believe the later into the rounds this goes, the more it favors Smith. He just needs to survive the power of Spann within the first two rounds. 

UFC Pick: (Sportsbook Review)