MMA Preview – Dominick Reyes vs Ryan Spann at UFC 281
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DOMINICK REYES VS RYAN SPANN FACTS
When is UFC 281? Sunday 13th November, 2022 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 281? Madison Square Garden, New York, (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 281? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 281
What channel is UFC 281 on? BT Sport 2
Where can I stream UFC 281? 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!
DOMINICK REYES VS RYAN SPANN LOWDOWN
When Dominick Reyes (12-3) met Jon Jones (2020), he was sitting on a 12-0 record having just knocked out the former middleweight champ Chris Weidman (2021). He had come out of nowhere really but took the light heavyweight ‘GOAT’ five rounds with many believing he had done enough to dethrone the king. He lost the decision and has not recovered since. He went on fight Jan Blachowicz (2020) for the vacant title but got knocked out in the second round and then seven months later he ate a ferocious spinning back elbow from the current champion Jiri Prochazka (2021) to drop three in a row.
He has another tough fight, but at least it is not another title challenger. Ryan Spann (20-7) won his first four UFC fights to extend his win streak to eight and nearly made it nine when he rocked Johnny Walker (2020) only for the Brazilian to comeback and dispatch him with nasty elbows. The former LFA light heavyweight champion responded with a knockout over Misha Cirkunov (2021) but then got submitted by Anthony Smith (2021). Now, he is coming off a vintage submission of his own against Ion Cutelaba back in May.
DOMINICK REYES VS RYAN SPANN PREDICTION
It is good to see Reyes take some time off after those brutal knockouts. He also has a much kinder match-up here although Spann possesses a knockout and submission threat which Reyes has to respect.
Spann’s guillotine when shooting in will be particular threat. Reyes is a strong wrestler, but it will be a risk to leave his head open when shooting in so we expect him to stick to his strengths and keep this on the feet.
It is easy to forget that he hits like a truck and is a better athlete. He will look to fire kicks to the lead left leg of Spann from his southpaw stance and then target the body. Spann will back himself in the exchanges, but we fully expect him to shoot in as soon as he absorbs a left kick or hand.
If he can drag Reyes to the mat or create a scramble, we can see a submission. However, we feel Reyes’ takedown defence and striking will put him back in the win column.
Prediction: Reyes via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Spann via Submission
