The UFC heads back to the Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada for UFC Vegas 70 this weekend. The main event features an exciting light heavyweight bout between Ryan Spann and Nikita Krylov, while there are 12 other solid matchups on the undercard. 

We will break down the main event and two other fights in the latest edition of our UFC picks here at Bookies.com.

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UFC Vegas 70 Main Event Best Bet

Nikita Krylov (-170) vs. Ryan Spann (+145)

The main event of UFC Vegas 70 is a light heavyweight bout between Nikita Krylov and Ryan Spann. Krylov is the -170 favorite at sports betting sites, and I believe he will win the main event.

Krylov originally began his UFC career in 2014 as a heavyweight, but he has been fighting exclusively at light heavyweight over the last eight years. There were times earlier in his career when you thought he might be cut, but now at age 31, the Ukranian is one of the best fighters in his division. 

His 10-7 UFC record isn’t anything special, but he has fought a high level of competition and he has won his last two fights coming into this bout. Almost all of his wins have come by finish, so he has the ability to finish anyone by knockout or submission. Of course, he’s not unstoppable as he’s been finished many times himself, but overall he is a very tough fighter.

Spann has also looked awesome in the UFC with a 7-2 record overall. The 31-year-old fighter has shown great finishing skills both with his knockout power and with his submissions. However, he was also finished pretty quickly by Anthony Smith and it makes you wonder how high his ceiling really is. 

He certainly has the ability to finish anyone in the first round or two, but we have seen him tire as the fight goes on, such as when he fought Sam Alvey. He is definitely a good fighter with finishing ability, but we still haven’t seen him get pushed in the grappling in a prolonged battle. If Krylov can survive early on, I think he can give Spann problems late.

Krylov is a finisher and he also has better cardio, which should help him in a five-round fight. If Spann can’t finish this early, I eventually see him getting tired and Krylov taking over on the ground. Give me Krylov to get the win at -170, and take him inside the distance if you want to get plus money on him winning the fight, as a finish in a victory seems the likeliest outcome.

UFC Vegas 70 Best Bet: Nikita Krylov wins -170 at DraftKings Sportsbook

UFC Vegas 70 Best Prop Bet: Nikita Krylov wins inside the distance -110 at DraftKings Sportsbook

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Other UFC Vegas 70 Best Bets

Mike Malott (-215) vs. Yohan Lainesse (+185)

Another fun fight on the main card is a welterweight bout between fellow Canadians Mike Malott and Yohan Lainesse. Malott is a -215 UFC betting favorite, and I like him to win this fight.

Malott joined the UFC last year and picked up a knockout win over Mickey Gall in his official debut. He also had a stoppage win on Dana White’s Contender Series in his fight before that. At age 31, he is in the prime of his career right now. Malott has been on a roll in recent years and he appears poised to take a giant step forward if he can pick up another finish over Lainesse. He has a big opportunity here, and I believe he will be able to make the most of the situation.

Lainesse will be looking to put a stop to Malott’s run. The fellow Canadian has gone 1-1 so far in the UFC with a decision win over Darian Weeks and a TKO loss to Gabe Green. He, too, had a night win on the Contender Series before that, and he was also a former champion in the CFFC promotion. Lainesse is a solid fighter and he should put on a very good fight here. 

He’s only 30, and he could make improvements. But that being said, we have seen him show some apparent flaws in his game, which Malott could take advantage of if he hasn’t improved on those issues.

Malott has looked great in the UFC and Contender Series and he looks like a very exciting prospect in the weight class. Lainesse has overall looked pretty good in the UFC with a 1-1 record, but he has shown some issues with his durability and cardio. I expect Malott to look better as the fight goes on, and eventually get the finish over Lainesse for his second UFC win.

UFC Vegas 70 Best Bet: Mike Malott wins -215 at DraftKings Sportsbook

UFC Vegas 70 Best Prop Bet: Mike Malott wins inside the distance at DraftKings Sportsbook

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Trevor Peek (-190) vs. Erick Gonzalez (+165)

Opening up the main card is a lightweight bout between Trevor Peek and Erick Gonzalez. Peek is the -190 favorite, and I believe he wins his UFC debut.

Peek is making his official UFC debut after picking up a comeback TKO win over Malik Lewis on Dana White’s Contender Series last year. Peek is just 28 years old and he’s unbeaten through his first eight professional fights. 

He has shown great knockout power in his career as all of his wins have come by knockout. He looks like a very good prospect and the UFC is giving him a big opportunity here to open up the main card of this UFC Fight Night and put on a show.

As for Gonzalez, he’s had a tough go so far in the UFC. The 31-year-old American has lost both of his UFC fights by stoppage to Terrance McKinney and Jim Miller and overall just hasn’t looked great in the Octagon. To be fair to Gonzalez, his level of opposition has been pretty high so far. 

But that being said, he just hasn’t been competitive, and it doesn’t get any easier against Peek. It’s a tough fight on paper, and the odds do not favor him to pick up his first UFC victory.

I think Peek puts on a show in his UFC debut, finishing Gonzalez in the first round by knockout. Give me Peek as a -190 favorite at betting apps, and you can take him inside the distance to cut down the juice as he will likely get a finish if he does win this fight.

UFC Vegas 70 Best Bet: Trevor Peek wins -190 at DraftKings Sportsbook

UFC Vegas 70 Best Prop Bet: Trevor Peek wins inside the distance at DraftKings Sportsbook

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