UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Spann Full Card Betting Guide

The UFC’s return features a gargantuan 14-fight card headlined by light heavyweights Anthony Smith and Ryan Spann on Saturday, Sept. 18, at the UFC Apex.

UFC Vegas 37, scheduled to start at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN+, has a ton of a razor-close fights and a bunch of value for us bettors.

Make sure to check out the Full Card Preview, in addition to Question Mark Kicks, which goes live on YouTube at 2 p.m. ET Saturday.

Best Bets

Tafon Nchukwi (-122) — Nchukwi makes the move back up to light heavyweight to take on Mike Rodriguez. Nchukwi will be the more physically imposing fighter and if he can keep Rodriguez behind the black line, he’s going to have a lot of success. Nchukwi by knockout at +177 can add a little bonus for the bold.

Devin Clark (+127) — It’s somewhat tough to judge Ion Cutelaba since two of his last three fights were against Magomed Ankalaev. Devin Clark looked good before his quick defeat to UFC Vegas 37 headliner Anthony Smith and at underdog odds, this is great value on the 31-year-old. Clark’s wrestling is the perfect Kryptonite against Cutelaba.

Anthony Smith (-169) — “Lionheart” has a ton of experience in five-round main events. This is Ryan Spann’s first in his UFC career. There’s a lot to like about Spann’s game, but that experience counts for a lot in a headliner fight. Smith’s gas tank should last a lot deeper into the fight and I can see Smith catching a submission on a lazy takedown from Spann in the fourth or fifth rounds. Smith by submission is at +331.

Pop and Popcorn Fights

Impa Kasanganay (-121) vs. Carlston Harris (-101) — The odds are razor close here for a reason. These two fighters should put on a great show no matter where this fight takes place.

Christos Giagos (+540) vs. Arman Tsarukyan (-798) — Tsarukyan is probably going to win this one, but Giagos will make it interesting. With Tsarukyan’s odds so steep, either stay away or sprinkle the underdog.

Rongzhu (-306) vs. Brandon Jenkins (+241) — I’d stay away from this late-notice replacement fight, but it will be interesting to see if Rongzhu’s talent shines this time around after a tough loss to Rodrigo Vargas.

Underdogs to Consider

Gustavo Lopez (+109) — The Washington state native’s two losses in the UFC have been to Adrian Yanez and Merab Dvalishvili. There’s no harm in that for the talented 32-year-old with a wrestling background. Against Heili Alateng, Lopez should have a wrestling and cardio advantage and that’s usually a recipe for success. Lopez by submission at +594 is intriguing as well.

Pannie Kianzad (+107) — At age 33, Raquel Pennington isn’t the fighter I’d be staking my money on. Kianzad is plenty capable of earning a decision victory.

Mandy Bohm (+101) — The talented newcomer is finally making her UFC debut and Ariane Lipski hasn’t great her last two fighters (a pair of second-round knockouts). Bohm is worth a shot at underdog odds.

Intriguing Props

Nate Maness by submission (+828) — This is a a dart throw of a bet, but Tony Gravely does love to wrestle and Maness is no slouch on the ground. Gravely has five submission losses and I would not be shocked to see Maness snatch his neck.

Montel Jackson by knockout (-104) — The odds are way too steep on Jackson outright over JP Buys, but this prop offers some nice value. Jackson is a long and tricky fighter with some great boxing skills. JP Buys, traditionally a flyweight, moves up to bantamweight for this one and will be the much smaller fighter.

Joaquin Buckley by knockout (-103) — We all saw Antonio Arroyo’s last fight against Deron Winn, right? That should be all bettors need to know to wager on Buckley in this one. While Buckley can be a bit inconsistent at times, his boxing and strength is going to lead to a big win.

Parlay of the Night

Goldy-Whitmire O2.5 (-339), Erin Blanchfield (-367), Joaquin Buckley (-201), Kianzad-Pennington O2.5 (-361), Anthony Smith (-169) — +401

For the boldest of bettors, add Devin Clark at +121 to boost parlay odds to +1008.