Two experienced light heavyweights in the top ten of the division's rankings collide on the main card at UFC Fight Night 221. Number six-ranked Ukrainian Nikita Krylov, a former FNG Light Heavyweight champion, battles Number eight-ranked American Ryan Spann, the former LFA light heavyweight champion. The bout, originally slated for a fortnight before Krylov withdrew due to ill health, will proceed at a catchweight of 215 pounds at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Paradise, Nevada. The winner may expect a top-five opponent for two fighters who have struggled to get serious momentum in the division.
MMA: UFC Light heavyweight
Location: The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Paradise, Nevada, USA
Where to watch: ESPN+
Date: 12.3.2023, 02:00
Nikita Krylov
Returning to the UFC in 2018 after winning the FNG Lightweight Heavyweight championship, Nikita Krylov has amassed a 4-4 record, getting consecutive wins in July and October last year. To be fair to him, he has lost to notable names in the division, like Jan Blachowicz, Glover Teixeira, and Magomed Ankalaev. His performance of the night against Alexander Gustafson following a first-round knockout in July and a unanimous decision over Volkan Oezdemir In October saw him cement his place in the top ten. The 30-year-old has been fighting professionally since 2012.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 30
- Height: 6' 3"
- Reach: 77.5"
- Record: 29-9
I want fights with guys who are higher than me in the rankings because I want contender fights, but when my manager sent me, 'I have a main event for Ryan Spann,' that's first for me, so listen, it's a main event, so it's good. That's why Spann is OK. He's a tough guy, interesting fight.
Ryan Spann
A former Light Heavyweight champion at LFA, Ryan Spann debuted in the UFC in 2018 after earning a contract via Dana White's Contender Series. Three consecutive wins followed a debut win before losing to Johnny Walker in 2020. Ryan Spann comes into this bout after two straight wins over Ion Cutelaba and Dominick Reyes in late 2022. Spann won both fights in the first round - a Performance of the Night against Cutelaba for a Guillotine choke and a knockout of Reyes.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 31
- Height: 6' 5"
- Reach: 81.5"
- Record: 21-7
I don't know his style. I don't know what he's going to do, I don't care what he's going to try to do. I just know that if I have fun, and be calm, I'll see everything.
Betting Odds
Ryan Spann is the bookmakers' underdog and is priced at 2.50 odds to win on Bet 365. His Ukrainian opponent is at 1.57 odds to win on Bet365. On 1xbet, over 1.5 is priced at 2.13 odds, while under 1.5 rounds is at 1.67 odds. Fight to go the distance is available at 4.5 odds on Coinplay.
