Tai Tuivasa vs Serghei Spivac UFC Picks & Predictions - 10/5/2019

Tai Tuivasa vs Serghei Spivac

UFC 243

Marvel Stadium in Australia

Saturday, October 5, 2019

Tai Tuivasa will battle Serghei Spivac at UFC 243 in Marvel Stadium in Australia on Saturday, October 5, 2019. The opener has Tuivasa priced at -303 while Spivac is priced at +234.

Tai "Bam Bam" Tuivasa walks into the Octagon holding a mark of 10-2-0. The 26-year-old weighs in at 264 lbs and measures in at 6' 2". The southpaw fighter extends his reach 75". Serghei "Polar Bear" Spivac measures 6' 3" and weighs in at 260 lbs. The orthodox fighter walks into the cage with a mark of 9-1-0. The 24-year-old reaches 78". Regarding significant strikes, Tai Tuivasa is connecting on 4.37 per min while Serghei Spivac connects on 1.20 significant strikes per min. Tuivasa is connecting on 49% of the significant strikes he throws while Spivac connects on 33%. In terms of defending in the Octagon, "Bam Bam" absorbs 3.67 significant strikes per min and "Polar Bear" allows 20.40. Tuivasa also defends 52% of the significant strikes his opponents throw at him while Spivac thwarts 39% of the shots thrown in his direction.

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Concerning wrestling, Tai Tuivasa is the not as competent as a grappler as he has no career takedowns to date. When it comes to going for the sub, Tuivasa is the more skilled technician by trying 0.3 subs per 3 rds while Spivac goes for 0 subs per 15 min.

The last time he fought, Tai Tuivasa fought Blagoy Ivanov and was defeated via unanimous decision in round 3. "Baga" landed 81 of 131 total strikes that he threw in that contest. Ivanov ended this bout going 2 of 2 in takedowns and didn't try to finish the fight via submission. "Bam Bam" ended the night having landed 66 of 146 total strikes. In terms of significant strikes, Ivanov landed 73 of 123, which gave him a percentage of 59%. He ended up landing 65 of 114 significant strikes directed at the head, 7 of 8 to the body and 1 of 1 directed at the legs. On the other side, Tuivasa landed 44% of his significant strikes by connecting on 64 of 144. In regard to the placement of these significant strikes, he landed 39 of 114 pointed at the head. He also connected on 6 of 7 to the body and 19 of 23 pointed at the legs in this battle. 84% of the significant strikes landed by Ivanov and 78% of them landed by Tuivasa were tallied at a distance.

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In the last bout for Serghei Spivac, he squared up with Walt Harris and was defeated by way of knees to the head in round 1. Harris connected on 52% of the significant strikes he attempted at distance while Spivac connected on 100% of the significant strikes he attempted from distance. Spivac connected on 33% of the significant strikes he attempted by landing 1 of 3. He connected on 0 of 2 significant strikes directed at the head and 1 of 1 directed at the legs. Harris landed 17 of 28 significant strikes in that contest. Out of all the significant strikes thrown, he ended up connecting on 17 of 27 directed at the head. In regard to total strikes thrown, Harris ended up landing 17 of 28 and Spivac connected on 1 of 3 of the strikes he threw in total. Harris didn't try to finish the fight via submission in this contest.

An additional bout that shouldn't be missed is when Holly Holm will meet Raquel Pennington. Holm walks into the Octagon with a mark of 12-5-0. The 37-year-old steps on the scale at 135 lbs and comes in at 5' 8". The southpaw fighter has a reach of 69". Pennington measures 5' 7" and steps on the scale at 135 lbs. The orthodox fighter steps into the cage holding a record of 10-8-0. The 31-year-old extends her reach 67". In terms of takedowns, Holly Holm takes her opponents down 0.55 times per 15 minutes and Raquel Pennington is able to score a takedown 1.14 times per 15 minutes. When it comes to striking, Holm connects for an average of 2.82 strikes per minute and is landing 34% out of all the strikes she attempts. On the other side of the cage we have Raquel Pennington, who tags her opponent on 45% of the strikes that she throws and connects on 3.39 per minute.

Another must see fight on the night is when Israel Adesanya is set to go up against Robert Whittaker. Whittaker has a career mark of 21-4-0. The 28-year-old is fighting at 185 lbs and stands 6' 0". The orthodox fighter has a reach of 73". Adesanya measures in at 6' 4" and tips the scales at 185 lbs. The switch fighter will be looking to add a win to his career total of 17-0-0. The 30-year-old reaches 80". Concerning grappling, Robert Whittaker is preventing 84% of the takedowns fighters have gone for and is getting his opponent to the mat on 57% of his attempts. Adesanya is finishing his takedown tries on 0% of the tries he takes and is able to thwart 85% of takedowns his opponents have tried. In the category of striking, Whittaker takes 3.65 strikes per min while he lands 4.82 per min. Adesanya, notwithstanding, is absorbing 2.49 strikes/minute and deals 4.44 per minute.

Who will win tonight's UFC match against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Serghei Spivac (+234)

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