The UFC is back at the Apex tonight for UFC Vegas 70. In the main event, light heavyweight contenders Nikita Krylov and Ryan Spann battle it out to improve their rankings. With a very open ended division, either of these fighters could see a huge jump with a convincing win. See here for our UFC Fight Night: Krylov Vs Spann: CSUK Staff Predictions
In the co-main, Andre Muniz takes on grappler Brendan Allen, looking to climb the middleweight rankings.
UFC Fight Night: Krylov Vs Spann
Light Heavyweight- Krylov vs Spann
Nikita Krylov has been killing it in the division lately. Other than a slip up against Paul Craig in London, he has been flying. For the first time in his UFC career, he is on a winning streak. This will affect his headspace going into the fight, with more momentum than he has ever had.
Ryan Spann has also been flying. Spann’s power has been evident, particularly when he destroyed former title challenger Dominick Reyes in November. It seems Spann is actually starting to take his MMA career seriously as he realises his potential. He knows the stakes here – a climb into the top 10 is something that he will know will be his reward.
The fight is relatively even for the most part, but I feel as if Spann takes this with a finish.
Staff picking Krylov: Patrick McCorry, Ella Earle, Dan Evans, Lewis Glover
Staff picking Spann: Billy Darlington
Middleweight – Muniz vs Allen
Andre Muniz is undefeated in the UFC at 5-0. This fight will prove why.
Brendan Allen is a formidable grappler with a great CV of fighter under his belt. The match up will be tough. His best aspect of his fighting is Muniz’ too – the grappling. If Allen can somehow outgrapple Muniz, the fight will be open ended. If not, I cannot see Allen’s way to victory bar a well timed submission off the back.
Staff picking Muniz: Billy Darlington, Ella Earle, Lewis Glover, Dan Evans
Staff picking Allen: Patrick McCorry
Heavyweight – Augusto Sakai vs Don’Tale Mayes
Sakai is on a four fight loss streak, being TKO’d or KO’d in every fight. It seems here he is fighting to stay in the UFC.
Mayes has been a mixed bag in the UFC. 2-2-1 altogether, the fight is more even than I am probably giving Sakai credit. The likelihood is this is going to be a slow heavyweight fight that will either result in a fantastical knockout or a boring decision. Either way, I see Mayes being on the winning end of it.
Staff picking Sakai: Lewis Glover, Dan Evans
Staff picking Mayes: Billy Darlington, Ella Earle, Patrick McCorry
Flyweight – Suarez vs De La Rosa
The fantastic Tatiana Suarez is back after a devastating knee injury. Her first fight in nearly four years, Suarez needs to make a statement to prove she is who we think she is.
Tatiana Suarez was a pressure machine, wrestling and striking her way to victory on multiple occasions. Montana De La Rosa is no joke, and nobody should be completely doubting her, but she is the biggest underdog for a reason.
For no reason other than Suarez is so good, not that De La Rosa is bad, I expect Suarez to return with a statement.
Staff picking Suarez: Billy Darlington, Patrick McCorry, Lewis Glover, Dan Evans, Ella Earle
Staff picking De La Rosa:
Welterweight – Malott vs Lainesse
A fun striking matchup, Mike Malott’s unorthodox karate style is always entertaining. It being so difficult to read, I see Lainesse struggling to make an impact.
Two Canadians against each other, I expect to see a relatively slow but entertaining fight for those who enjoy the game. Malott takes the win in the end, but Lainesse will be in it for the most part. I see it just edging towards Malott.
Staff picking Malott: Billy Darlington, Patrick McCorry, Ella Earle
Staff picking Lainesse: Dan Evans, Lewis Glover
UFC Fight Night: Krylov Vs Spann: CSUK Staff Predictions
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
