Nikita Krylov is 29-9 overall with two straight wins in the UFC. Can he add a third one to the list? Not if you’re asking Ryan Spann, his opponent in the UFC Fight Night 220 headliner. The American fighter is 21-7 and is also on a two-win streak.
Nikita Krylov vs Ryan Spann Odds
| Moneyline | Odds |
|---|---|
| Nikita Krylov | -186 |
| Ryan Spann | +144 |
*Odds taken from FanDuel on Wednesday, February 20, 2023.
When, Where, and How to Watch?
- Place: UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada
- Date: Saturday, February 25, 2023
- Time: ~9:00 PM ET
- How to Watch: UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+
Nikita Krylov Keeps Rising Through the UFC Light Heavyweight Ranks
Krylov’s UFC story started in 2018 and since he’s 4-4 in this promotion. That might not seem impressive, but all four of his UFC losses happened to elite fighters – Jan Blachowicz, Glover Teixeira, Magomed Ankalaev, and Paul Craig.
The fighters he defeated in the UFC are Ovince Saint Preux, Johnny Walker, Alexander Gustafsson, and Volkan Oezdemir. For his Round 1 KO win over Gustafsson, Krylov received the Performance of the Night bonus from the UFC.
It was his 12th win by this method, while he also has 15 wins by submission. That’s no surprise knowing that he’s got experience with several wrestling/grappling disciplines, including submission fighting and army hand-to-hand combat. The bad news for him is that Span has a similar set of skills.
Ryan Spann Ready to Upset the Odds
Ryan Spann is seen as the underdog in Saturday’s fight, but we don’t think this guy should be underestimated. The American is 21-7 overall with a 7-2 record in the UFC. He didn’t fight against as strong opponents as Krylov, but he does have some great wins in his portfolio.
For instance, last May, Spann defeated Ion Cutelaba by submission, which was his 12th win by this method. This isn’t a surprise knowing that he’s got extensive experience with Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He also has six wins by KO/TKO, as well as three by decision.
Nikita Krylov vs Ryan Spann Prediction
Nikita Krylov is the favorite for a reason, but this isn’t going to be an easy fight for him. Sure, the guy has 93% finishes in his career, but we suspect it could be different this time. Instead of Krylov winning quickly, we expect to see a real battle in Vegas, with the fight winner probably being decided by the judges.
Picks: Nikita Krylov to win by decision