MMA Preview – Nikita Krylov vs Ryan Spann at UFC Vegas 70

Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
NIKITA KRYLOV VS RYAN SPANN FACTS
When is UFC Fight Night 220? Saturday 25th February, 2023 - 22:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Night 220? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 220? Click here to buy tickets for UFC Fight Night
What channel is UFC Fight Night 220 on? BT Sport 2
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 220? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
NIKITA KRYLOV VS RYAN SPANN LOWDOWN
Nikita Krylov (29-9) is coming off two of the biggest wins of his career. In true up and down Krylov form, these wins came off two decisive losses. Magomed Ankalaev (2021) earnt a classy unanimous decision before he fell into an obvious trap from Paul Craig (2022) who cinched up his eighth career triangle choke. Krylov bounced back to smoke Alexander Gustafsson (2022) in the first round earning a ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus and is now coming off a unanimous decision win over Volkan Oezdemir (2022).
Ryan Spann (21-7) is finally putting everything together after committing to his training. Heading into 2022, he was 5-2 in the UFC after getting knocked out by Johnny Walker (2020) and submitted by Anthony Smith (2021). It seemed the upper echelon at light heavyweight was out of reach, but he blitzed into 2022 by submitting Ion Cutelaba and icing Dominick Reyes in the first round to take his UFC tally 7-2.
NIKITA KRYLOV VS RYAN SPANN PREDICTION
Spann’s knockout of Reyes should worry every light heavyweight. It was essentially a jab that flatlined him so even though Krylov has only ever been knocked out once which was all the way back in 2013, he has to respect that power.
Spann will boast a two-inch height and reach advantage, but Krylov has a significant advantage when it some to experience. He is extremely well-rounded and has the edge in the grappling department so he needs to call upon all of that experience to mix his attacks up.
Spann can grapple himself and has some sneaky jiu-jitsu, but Krylov is a level above and needs to get this fight to the mat and drain the gas tank.
There is serious value on the underdog, Spann here. We know how dangerous his long jab is and he follows that up with a lightening straight right hand which we can see hurting Krylov.
This depends on how long Krylov stands for. Spann will be a serious threat in the first two rounds, but if Krylov clinches up, wrestles and even get the fight to the ground, Spann’s energy bar will run down.
Krylov’s jaw is only safe if Spann is on his back. For that reason and the fact that Spann is the underdog, he is the smart pick, but we are backing Krylov to grind out the third decision of his career.
Prediction: Krylov via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value bet: Spann via KO/TKO
