UFC in Vegas 54 Co-Main First Look: Ryan Spann vs. Ion Cutelaba, Betting Picks, Odds and Predictions (Archive)
The UFC returns to our screens for another action-filled Fight Night event. Light Heavyweight contenders Ryan Spann and Ion Cutelaba will compete in the evening’s co-main event.
Read on for our complete betting guide taking a first look at Spann and Cutelaba, including updated UFC odds and our free expert UFC betting picks, predictions, and analysis.
Ryan Spann vs. Ion Cutelaba
UFC Light Heavyweight Co-Main Event Bout
Saturday, May 14, 2022 – 10:05 PM EDT at UFC Apex
Ryan Spann
- Pro MMA Record: (19-7-0) (5 KOs, 4 submissions)
- Age: 30
- Height: 6'5"
- Reach: 81.5"
- Trains With: Fortis MMA
- Origin Fighting Style: MMA
Memphis, Tennessee representative Ryan Spann continues his hunt for a light heavyweight top-ten ranking in this weekend's UFC in Vegas co-main event.
Following two appearances on Dana White's Contender Series, Spann's second coming on the show allowed him to join the UFC roster, where he's compiled a 5-2 record since 2018. With four of his five octagon successes, Spann is positioned as the No.16 ranked light heavyweight in a division stacked with killers.
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With a complete mixed martial arts background, "Superman" Spann is diverse in the cage as his five career knockouts and eleven submission finishes back up this factor.
UFC Pick: Ryan Spann Available (+189) with Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports Review)
Ion Cutelaba
- Pro MMA Record: (16-6-1) (12 KOs, 2 submissions)
- Age: 28
- Height: 6'1"
- Reach: 75.0"
- Trains With: CSA Moldova
- Origin Fighting Style: Greco-Roman Wrestling/Combat Sambo
Stemming from a background in Greco-Roman wrestling, Sambo, and judo, Ion Cutelaba is a national champion of Moldova in all of the abovementioned disciplines.
Despite his elite-level grappling background, his 10-year professional MMA tenure has delivered twelve knockouts.
He isn't keen on a submission tactic, but the power in Cutelaba's hands should always be respected. Aged just 28-years old, he's competed in the professional MMA world since his teenage years, and since joining the UFC in 2016, he's undeniably been fed to the wolves.
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His losses inside the UFC have been against current champions, title contenders, or top-5 ranked fighters.
With youth on his side and a wealth of high-level experience obtained since joining the UFC, the future could be bright for the ultra-skilled Cutelaba.
UFC Pick: Ion Cutelaba (-210) with BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
Breakdown and Analysis
Spann’s Fight Style and How Can Spann Defeat Cutelaba?
Owning such a long frame and notable size discrepancy in most of his contests, Spann's apparent path to victory would be to stick his jab and stay on the outside of Cutelaba.
The long limbs of Spann can also provide tricky in grappling scrambles, but although he's proven his jiu-jitsu skills in his career thus far, the grappling offense and defense of Cutelaba are elite.
A quick knockout and utilization of his size, as previously mentioned, is Spann's greatest path to victory.
Cutelaba Fight Style and How Can Cutelaba Defeat Spann?
Although he hasn't always fallen on a grappling game plan, Cutelaba will want to remove the considerable reach disadvantage when standing with Spann by taking this contest to the ground.
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In forcing Spann to the mat, Cutelaba should look to maintain control and do what he does best, delivering a punishing combination of ground strikes.
Betting Prediction and UFC Vegas 54 Odds
The available betting odds at Bookmakers Review are heavily in favor of Cutelaba, and I understand why.
Still, the size of Spann is extremely concerning if the Moldavan can't initiate a grappling exchange early and find success in his takedowns.
Spann has notoriously been a one-round fighter, having fought outside of the initial five minutes on just three occasions during his career.
However, I'm going against the grain because I don't envision an early finish, and the over 1 ½ round is providing plus money.
I'm putting my faith in the durability of both men despite the knockout power they both possess.
Should Cutelaba initiate a grappling approach early, this could easily stall the fight into the second round.
UFC Pick: Over 1.5 round (+115) [1.05u returns 1.23u profit] with Bovada (visit our Bovada Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.