UFC Predictions: UFC Vegas 21: Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad Predictions & Picks

#2 UFC Light-Heavyweight division: Misha Cirkunov vs. Ryan Spann

Misha Cirkunov is one of the UFC Light-Heavyweight division's deadliest grapplers

The UFC has plenty of prospects in their Light-Heavyweight division, but right now only a handful have really been able to climb up the ladder into contention.

Will the winner of this one take another step forward? You’d like to think so. Both men have impressive UFC records – 6-3 for Cirkunov, 4-1 for Spann – but bad losses have thus far prevented them from really pushing forward.

Spann has obviously only lost once in the UFC. He was knocked out by Johnny Walker in one of the wildest fights of 2020 - a fight that saw ‘Superman’ hurt Walker badly only to find himself KO’d after getting a bit overly aggressive.

Aside from that, he’s looked largely excellent – showing skills in all areas, even if the quality of his opponents could be questioned somewhat.

Cirkunov, on the other hand, is almost a throwback fighter. A giant ball of muscle, the Latvian-Canadian is a deadly grappler who can finish seemingly from any position.

Last time we saw him was a long time ago – September 2019 to be exact – but he impressed hugely, using the rare Peruvian Necktie to tap out Jimmy Crute.

Cirkunov’s problem has come in the striking department. He’s capable of knocking opponents out and hurting them, but his style is certainly stiff. And after suffering three KO losses in the UFC, it’s probably fair to question his chin.

However, it’s worth noting that Cirkunov’s losses have all come to fighters who possess serious power in their strikes. Spann, on the other hand, has just four KO wins to his name. And his only UFC knockout came over the completely shot Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.

With that in mind, it’s a possibility that Spann can catch Cirkunov – he does have a 4” reach advantage – but it’s tricky to imagine him putting the Latvian-Canadian down, as say Volkan Oezdemir did.

It feels more likely that the two men will hit the mat. And if they do, it feels like Cirkunov will grab hold of one of Spann’s long limbs and catch him in a submission.

The Pick: Cirkunov via first-round submission