This weekend there is a double-header in the world of MMA, with both the UFC and Bellator offering fight cards for your Saturday evening viewing pleasure. Neither card is the best effort either promotion has put forth, but there are still a few notable fights worth paying attention to for UFC betting fans, particularly the main event of both cards.

Anthony Smith vs. Ryan Spann Odds

Odds via DraftKings and current as of publication. Odds on betting apps may change as the fight approaches. Check out our DraftKings sportsbook review

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Anthony Smith vs. Ryan Spann Betting Analysis

At UFC Fight Night 192, sixth-ranked UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith takes on eleventh-ranked Ryan Spann in a classic veteran vs. rising contender bout. Smith is a former light heavyweight title challenger and mainstay of the 205-pound division, who lost a pair of fights last year but has since rebounded with a two-fight winning streak.

Conversely, Spann made his way into the UFC from the Contender Series and has mostly impressed, posting a 5-1 record with the lone loss coming to fellow prospect Johnny Walker last year.

Smith is the classic Jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none. Arguably the best part of Smith’s game is his grappling - he’s a BJJ black belt - but he isn’t much of a wrestler, preferring to strike with opponents. On the feet, he’s decent and has power in his hands but he’s not the most defensively savvy kickboxer and he doesn’t work at a particularly high rate.

Spann is a huge physical presence for the 205-pound division. Usually preferring to strike, Spann likes to come forward with a measured pace and swing bombs before moving into a clinch where he attempts to overpower his opponents.

Like Smith, Spann isn’t a great defensive fighter, however he is a much more willing wrestler than Smith. That being said, he’s also a worse grappler than Smith and he’s prone to jumping for guillotines when fighters shoot on him.

Smith Vs. Spann Best Bet

Simply put, Spann is the more powerful and athletic of the two, but Smith is the superior fighter and with a vast amount of experience I favor that experience to help Smith get his hand raised.

On the feet, Smith can hold his own in a brawl with Spann and eventually the two will go to the ground, where Smith is the much better grappler. I also have some questions about Spann’s cardio whereas Smith has fought into the championship rounds several times before.

Ultimately, I think Smith will get the finish in the middle-to-later part of the fight, so I like a bet on Smith by KO/TKO or Submission at +110 on FanDuel .

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Phil Davis vs. Yoel Romero Betting Analysis

Over at Bellator 266, Phil Davis takes on Yoel Romero in Romero’s debut fight for the Bellator promotion. Romero enters Bellator following a failed bid for the UFC’s middleweight title against Israel Adesanya in one of the worst fights of 2020.

The former Olympic silver medalist in wrestling is one of the very best middleweights in the world, and moving up to the weaker 205-pound division should serve him well as he consistently struggled to make weight at 185. Welcoming him is former Bellator light heavyweight champion Phil Davis, himself an accomplished wrestler, who has been one of the best light heavyweights in the world for nearly a decade.

Davis is a former standout collegiate wrestler, but he's not a great MMA wrestler. He’s better than average certainly, but he often seems disinterested in applying that part of his game and seems more content to use his wrestling defensively.

Instead, Davis is often happy with staying on the feet where he attempts to use his enormous length to out-point his foes, mostly with kicks. It’s not the most exciting style but it is defensively sound, and it’s led him to win far more than he's lost.

Romero is similar to Davis in that you rarely see his wrestling pedigree on display. Unlike Davis though, Romero is gunning for the knockout, not scoring points. In fact, Romero is so focused on landing one big punch, it often comes at the expense of landing any other offense whatsoever.

It’s a style that can be incredibly frustrating to watch but with Romero’s impeccable sense of timing and his ability to read opponents, it often results in spectacular knockouts, usually late in the fight (he has six third-round KOs in his career).

Davis Vs. Romero Best Bet

This fight is almost certain to be miserable to watch so bear that in mind when considering wagers at sportsbooks and betting sites. The only chance this fight has to be even remotely entertaining is if Romero does find the big punch he always waits for, but unfortunately that doesn’t seem likely.

Romero will spend large swaths of the fight doing absolutely nothing and Davis will be content to leg kick him from a safe distance. Romero may make one big push late in the bout but Davis is far too savvy to fall prey to third-round Romero. Phil Davis at -118 on FOXBet is a good bet.