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ANTHONY SMITH VS RYAN SPANN FACTS
When is UFC Singapore? Saturday 26th August, 2023 - 11:30 start (UK)
Where is UFC Singapore? Singapore Indoor Stadium, Kallang, Singapore (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Singapore? Click here to buy tickets for UFC Fight Night
What channel is UFC Singapore on? TNT Sports 3
Where can I stream UFC Singapore? TNT Sports subscribers can stream the fight online via the TNT Sports website and Discovery+
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!
ANTHONY SMITH VS RYAN SPANN LOWDOWN
Anthony Smith (36-18) has not given up hopes of another title shot especially while the light heavyweight belt is currently getting passed around like a hot potato. However, he will need to build an impressive streak to get back in the picture. He is now on a two-fight skid after three finishes in a row. He got TKO’d by Magomed Ankalaev (2022) and recently got outpointed by Johnny Walker back in May.
Smith’s last win was in fact Ryan Spann (21-8). It was in September 2021 and it earnt the veteran a ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus. That was his second loss in the UFC and he has fought three times since. He bounced back with two ruthless finishes - a submission over Ion Cutelaba (2022) and a knockout over Dominick Reyes (2022). However, he then met Nikita Krylov back in March and got caught in his triangle.
ANTHONY SMITH VS RYAN SPANN PREDICTION
Their first clash was a wild ride. They both hurt each other on the feet while attempting submissions in the scrambles. Smith got the better of Spann in the exchanges almost knocking him out and calling upon his experience to close the show with a rear-naked choke.
Smith is a better grappler, is more experienced and would have knocked Spann out if he did not submit him yet he is still the underdog. That is because he is slowing down whereas Spann continues to improve. He is a lethal finisher in his own right and if he can make the right adjustments while leveraging his size and power advantage, he can get revenge.
He will have a five-inch reach advantage and will be heavier on the night. If he tightens up his defence and can get his jab going, he can test the damaged chin of Smith early. He is a monster in the first round, and we can see an early knockout happening.
However, for the simple fact that Smith is arguably more durable, he is a better grappler and already has a convincing win under the belt makes his the smart pick.
Prediction: Spann via KO/TKO
Value bet: Smith to win