Anthony Smith and Ryan Spann face off in a light heavyweight battle in the main event of UFC Fight Night 192 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Smith is currently ranked sixth in the division while Spann is ranked 11th.
Anthony “Lionheart” Smith comes into this fight with a 35-16 record overall and he has won two fights in a row by finish. Smith’s last fight came against Jimmy Cruite in April of 2021, and he won that fight by knockout. Smith was taken down three times in that fight, Smith’s last loss came in August of 2020 by Aleksander Rakic by unanimous decision. Smith is averaging 3.00 significant strikes per minute while absorbing 4.36 significant strikes per minute. Smith is averaging 0.47 takedowns every 15 minutes and he is successful on 28 percent of his takedown attempts. Smith is also stopping 47 percent of his opponent's takedown attempts. Smith at times will try to lock in submission attempts and is averaging 0.7 of them every 15 minutes.
Ryan Spann comes into this fight with a 19-6 record overall and since coming into the UFC he has won six of his eight fights. In Spann’s last fight against Misha Cirkunov, it was only 1:11 into the fight that he finished the fight by knockout. Three of Spann’s last four fights have been by finish. Spann is averaging 3.55 significant strikes per minute while absorbing 3.45 significant strikes per minute. Spann is averaging 1.72 takedowns every 15 minutes and he is successful on 41 percent of his takedown attempts. Spann also stops 60 percent of his opponent's takedown attempts.
Spann is a solid fighter, but I don’t think he is going to be able to take the pressure that Smith is going to put on him. Smith might not get the finish, but he is going to wear down Spann enough that he dominates the last couple of rounds. Back Smith to win this game on the money line.
AUTHOR: Shane Mickle
Mitch's Take...
