The Pro Take: Anthony Smith Finishes Ryan Spann in First Round at UFC Vegas 37

By
Justin Gibbons
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Anthony Smith and Ryan Spann, UFC Vegas 37
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 18: Anthony Smith reacts after his victory over Ryan Spann in a light heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on September 18, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

All week you could go back-and-forth on who to pick when it came to the UFC Vegas 37 main event between Anthony Smith and Ryan Spann.

Ryan Spann came into the fight as an underdog with full intention to spoil Anthony Smith’s return to the top five. After his loss to Johnny Walker, Spann came back with a vicious first-round finish over Misha Cirkunov to remind the world that he is still a dangerous threat in the ranks of the light heavyweights. Saturday, he wanted to make a statement that Anthony Smith’s chances for gold are over, and that it is his time to rise in the ranks of the division.

Anthony Smith has always lived up to his nickname “Lionheart.” Starting the night on a two-fight win streak, he looked to make a case to get back into the title picture by racking up impressive win after impressive win. With a win at UFC Vegas 37, Smith could potentially break the top five and be one or two bouts away from fighting for a shot once again, to try and capture the UFC title.

Anthony Smith proved that he is Ryan Spann’s kryptonite on Saturday. Every time Smith touched the chin with power, Spann wobbled and eventually Smith got the hooks in on the ground and got a submission victory.

Here is how the pros reacted to the UFC Vegas 37 main event inside the UFC APEX.

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