UFC Fight Night 192: Ryan Spann vs Anthony Smith Picks, Odds, and Predictions

Anthony Smith and Ryan Spann fight Saturday in UFC Fight Night 192 at the UFC Apex. Smith enters this fight with a 35-16 record and has won 54 percent of his fights by knockout. Spann enters this fight with a 19-6 record and has won 58 percent of his fights by submission.

Smith has split his last six fights and is coming off an April win over Jimmy Crute. Smith is averaging 3.00 significant strikes per minute with an accuracy percentage of 47 percent. Smith is averaging 0.47 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 28 percent. Smith is coming off a first round knockout win at UFC 261 where he landed 27 total strikes. Smith is coming off back-to-back wins and has really changed the narrative since his brutal one-sided loss to Glover Teixeira. Besides his toughness and ability to take a punch, Smith is an athletic striker who is creative on his feet and has true one-punch knockout power. Smith is highly effective with his legs and knees, and he’s comfortable on the canvas where he has 13 career submission victories. A black belt in BJJ and his striking ability, Smith is one of the more balanced and tough minded fighters in the sport. There’s a reason why Smith is so loved by MMA fans. This will be Smith’s eighth career fight in Nevada.

Spann has won nine of his last 10 fights and is coming off a March win over Misha Cirkunov. Spann is averaging 3.55 significant strikes per minute with an accuracy percentage of 45 percent. Spann is averaging 1.72 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 41 percent. Spann is coming off a knockout win at UFC Fight Night 187 where he landed 16 total strikes. The victory earned performance of the night honors. Spann is quite an athlete who throws powerful strikes and strong knees in the clinch, but he’s most effective on the canvas where he gains top position and finds a chokehold. Spann has won seven of his 11 submissions with the guillotine choke. Spann is also more than comfortable with his stand up where he can end things with one shot and throws clean combinations. A blue belt in BJJ, Spann is a balanced fighter who has finished 16 of his 19 career wins. This will be Spann’s fifth career fight in Nevada.

Spann is the younger, more athletic fighter at this stage and he has the ground game to give Smith trouble. Spann also has the length advantage and his striking output gives him a fighting chance on the feet. However, Smith is not a fighter I make a habit of betting against, as he’s a veteran who can take punishment and usually finds a way to push through to victory. Just last year people were starting to write Smith off, but he’s looked great in his last two fights.

Give me Smith and the reasonable price.