Anthony Smith got the best of Ryan Spann once again, but had to work for it.
In the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 225 at at Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore, Smith (37-18 MMA, 12-8 UFC) edged Spann (21-9 MMA, 7-4 UFC) out by split decision in their light heavyweight bout. He was able to quickly submit Spann in their first fight in September 2021, but had to battle through some adversity to get his hand raised the second time.
Smith came out with a muay Thai stance. He hurt Spann with big leg kicks, and followed it up a solid right hand. Spann fired back with a right hand of his own. Smith took Spann down, and worked for an arm triangle choke, but Spann was able to get up.
In Round 2, Spann tagged Smith with a counter left, and jumped in with a flying knee to the body. Smith was visibly hurt as his eye started swelling up. Smith’s left eye was completely swollen and cut up, but he hung tough for the rest of the round.
The pace slowed down in Round 3, with both men exchanging. The round was even up until Spann upped the temp and backed Smith with a right. However, the final push from Spann wasn’t enough as only one judge gave him Round 3, with the other two awarding it to Smith.
With the win, Smith was able to snap a two-fight losing skid. The former title challenger’s past two wins have now come against Spann.
Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 225 results include:
- Anthony Smith def. Ryan Spann via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Giga Chikadze def. Alex Caceres via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Rinya Nakamura def. Fernie Garcia via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
- Erin Blanchfield def. Taila Santos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Junior Tafa def. Parker Porter via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 1:24
- Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Lukasz Brzeski via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 3:01
- Garrett Armfield def. Toshiomi Kazama via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:16
- Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Chidi Njokuani via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:16
- Song Kenan def. Rolando Bedoya via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Billy Goff def. Yusaku Kinoshita via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:49
- JJ Aldrich def. Liang Na via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 4:49
- Seungwoo Choi def. Jarno Errens via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 225.
