Paul Craig vs Ryan Spann UFC Point Spread Picks - 3/21/2020

Paul Craig vs Ryan Spann

UFC Fight Night 171

The O2 Arena in London, England

Saturday, March 21, 2020

Paul Craig will enter the Octagon against Ryan Spann at UFC Fight Night 171 in The O2 Arena in London, England on Saturday, March 21, 2020. The moneyline has Craig priced at +290 while Spann is coming in at -350.

Paul "Bearjew" Craig holds a career record of 12-4-1. The 32-year-old records a weight of 205 lbs and measures in at 6' 3". The orthodox fighter extends his reach 76". Ryan "Superman" Spann comes in at 6' 5" and tips the scales at 205 lbs. The orthodox fighter comes into this bout holding a record of 17-5-0. The 28-year-old extends his reach 79". In terms of significant strikes, Paul Craig is connecting on 2.33 per min while Ryan Spann is connecting on 3.26 significant strikes per min. Craig lands 48% of the significant strikes he attempts and Spann lands 43%. In terms of defending themselves, "Bearjew" allows 2.49 significant strikes per minute and "Superman" allows 2.54. Craig also curbs 49% of the significant strikes that are directed at him while Spann is able to prevent 52% of the strikes thrown his way.

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In the wrestling category, Paul Craig is the more competent wrestler as he takes his opponents down 1.65 times per 3 rds. Craig is scoring a takedown on 21% of his attempts and is stuffing 57% of the takedowns his opponents attempt. Spann is taking his opponents down on 33% of the takedowns he attempts and stopping 60% of takedowns his opponents have attempted. In terms of subbing the opposition, Craig is less apt at going for the finish by going for 1.5 subs per 15 minutes while Spann goes for 2.4 subs per 3 rounds.

In his last appearance in the Octagon, Paul Craig fought Mauricio Rua and had a draw by split decision in round 3. Rua landed 51 of 108 total strikes that he let go. Craig walked away from this fight having landed 106 of 160 total strikes. In the category of significant strikes, Rua landed 25 of 66, which gave him a rate of 37%. He landed 19 of 57 significant strikes aimed at the head. On the other side of the Octagon, Craig ended up landing 51% of the significant strikes he threw by landing 51 of 99. Out of those significant strikes, he was 30 of 71 pointed at the head. 64% of the significant strikes landed by Rua and 76% of them landed by Craig were tallied at distance.

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In the last fight for Ryan Spann, he squared up with Devin Clark and took home the victory by way of a guillotine choke in round 2. Clark landed 64% of his significant strikes at distance while Spann connected on 47% of his significant strikes at distance. Spann ended up landing 35% of the significant strikes he attempted by connecting on 17 of 48. He landed 14 of 44 significant strikes directed at the head. Clark landed 17 of 37 significant strikes in that contest. Looking at the significant strike accuracy, he connected on 8 of 27 directed at the head. In relation to total strikes thrown in that contest, Clark landed 22 of 42 while Spann was 17 of 48 of the strikes he threw in total.

Other fights on the card to watch

One more match to look forward to is when Lerone Murphy enters the Octagon with Gabriel Benitez. Murphy will be looking to add a win to his career record of 8-0-1. The 28-year-old weighs 145 lbs and measures in at 5' 9". The orthodox fighter reaches 73". Benitez measures in at 5' 8" and tips the scales at 145 lbs. The southpaw fighter looks to add a victory to his record of 21-8-0. The 31-year-old extends his reach 71". In terms of takedowns, Lerone Murphy is able to score a takedown 0.10 times per 15 minutes while Gabriel Benitez is averaging a takedown 0.21 times per 15 minutes. In the striking category, Murphy lands 1.87 strikes/min and connects on 35% out of all the strikes he attempts. The other fighter in this bout is Gabriel Benitez, who is connecting on 41% of the strikes he attempts and is connecting on 4.32 per min.

If you're into fun fights, you're going to want to see when Makwan Amirkhani is set to meet Mike Grundy. Grundy has a record of 12-1-0. The 33-year-old will fight at 145 lbs and measures 5' 7". The orthodox fighter stretches 72". Amirkhani comes in at 5' 10" and is fighting at 145 lbs. The southpaw fighter comes into this fight holding a mark of 15-4-0. The 31-year-old has a reach of 72". In terms of grappling, Mike Grundy defends against 100% of the takedowns fighters have gone for and is taking his opponents to the canvas on 33% of his attempts. Amirkhani is finishing his takedowns on 34% of his attempts and thwarts 57% of takedowns his opponents have tried. In the matter of striking, Grundy is taking 2.27 strikes per min and he lands 3.40 per minute. Amirkhani, on the contrary, absorbs 2.77 strikes/minute and is landing 1.60 per min.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Ryan Spann (-350)

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