Nikita Krylov says he believes being offered his first headlining appearance is a sign that his career is heading in the right direction. The veteran light heavyweight contender intends to make the most of it when he meets fellow ranked contender Ryan Spann in the main event of UFC Fight Night: Krylov vs. Spann on Saturday. Their five-round battle tops the main UFC fight card (7 p.m. ET) from the Apex facility in Las Vegas, and the winner will move into title-shot consideration in the fluctuating division. The No. 6-ranked Krylov has long been a top-10 fighter but felt he was stagnating until he was offered a main event that could move him toward his first career title shot. The No. 8-ranked Spann similarly hopes to crack the top-five rankings with what would be the signature win of his career.
Krylov is a -170 favorite (risk $170 to win $100), while Spann comes back at +145 in the latest UFC Fight Night: Krylov vs. Spann odds from Caesars Sportsbook. In the co-main event, explosive middleweight prospects collide when Andre Muniz (-200) takes on Brendan Allen (+170). Before locking in any UFC Fight Night: Krylov vs. Spann picks, make sure you check out the MMA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine analyst Daniel Vithlani.
Vithlani is a highly analytical UFC bettor who profited more than $6,200 for $100 bettors in 2022. This includes a documented 24-14 record on his well-respected, two-leg parlays. Every pick was documented on his public Instagram account.
From breaking down film and following fighters and their camps closely, to tracking sharp action and betting market signals, Vithlani covers the breadth of the MMA betting landscape top to bottom. He also trains amateur boxers and speaks regularly with MMA fighters to understand the sport's nuances.
In his SportsLine debut at UFC 283 in January, Vithlani swept the main card and his winners included advising SportsLine members to support Hill (-125) over Teixeira (+105) for the vacant light heavyweight title in the main event. Anyone who has followed him has seen massive returns.
Now, with UFC Fight Night: Krylov vs. Spann in sight, Vithlani has scoured the card top to bottom for value and released his top MMA picks. Vithlani's UFC Fight Night picks are only available at SportsLine.
UFC Fight Night: Krylov vs. Spann preview
The main event features veterans who have both overcome some adversity to reach the top-10 rankings, and the winner will take a major step forward toward earning a coveted title shot.
Although he's still just 30, Krylov (29-9) is in his 11th year as an MMA professional and is in his second stint with the UFC. His diverse skills and strong finishing potential are illustrated in his 15 wins by submission to go along with 12 knockouts and just two decisions.
The crafty Ukrainian is just 4-4 since rejoining the UFC in 2018, but all of his fights have come against world-class competition. His losses have come against the likes of former champions Teixeira and Jan Blachowicz, along with No. 2-ranked contender Magomed Ankalaev. However, he enters Saturday's main event on a two-fight winning streak.
The 31-year-old Spann (21-7) has been an MMA professional for nearly a decade and similarly built up a strong resume before joining the UFC. His previous stops included a 3-0 run through the Legacy Fighting Alliance, with all the wins coming by stoppage.
Spann earned a roster spot with a victory on "Dana White's Contender Series" and has gone 7-2 in nine UFC fights, with five of the victories coming inside the distance. His defeats have come against fellow ranked contenders Anthony Smith (No. 5) and Johnny Walker (No. 7). You can only see who to pick at UFC Fight Night at SportsLine.
UFC Fight Night predictions
We'll share one of Vithlani's UFC Fight Night selections here: He is going with Augusto Sakai (-130) to get his hand raised against Don'Tale Mayes (+110) in a matchup of heavyweight sluggers on the main card.
Sakai (15-5-1) is one of several coveted prospects who gave the division an infusion of young talent over the past few years. The 31-year-old Brazilian quickly reached the top-10 rankings by winning his first four fights with two stoppages. But he has taken a step backward against top-rated competition, losing his last four fights and dropping out of the rankings.
Mayes (9-4-1) is considered a versatile talent who started his UFC career with a loss to Ciryl Gane, who is now the division's top-ranked contender. But the 31-year-old Kentucky native has bounced back to go 2-0-1 in his last three outings.
"This is a make-or-break fight for Sakai, who will have to rethink his career if he loses. I like backing a fighter whose back is up against the wall. Sakai is a good fighter; he's just been up against it, facing standout wrestlers and elite strikers," Vithlani told SportsLine. See who else to back here.
How to make UFC Fight Night picks
Vithlani also has strong picks for Krylov vs. Spann and other bouts on the UFC Fight Night card. He's also backing a fighter who "is looking like a dangerous contender" to emerge with a dominant victory. Vithlani's picks and MMA analysis are only available at SportsLine.
Who wins UFC Fight Night: Krylov vs. Spann? And how exactly does each fight end? Visit SportsLine now to get detailed picks on every fight at UFC Fight Night, all from the MMA expert who profited more than $6,200 in 2022, and find out.
UFC Fight Night odds, fight card
See full UFC Fight Night picks, predictions, best bets here.
Nikita Krylov (-170) vs. Ryan Spann (+145)
Andre Muniz (-200) vs. Brendan Allen (+170)
Augusto Sakai (-130) vs. Don'tale Mayes (+110)
Tatiana Suarez (-800) vs. Montana De La Rosa (+550)
Trevor Peek (-170) vs. Erik Gonzalez (+150)
Gabriella Fernandes (-120) vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius (+100)
Nurullo Aliev (-165) vs. Rafael Alves (+145)
Charles Johnson (-170) vs. Ode Osbourne (+150)
Hailey Cowan (-140) vs. Ailin Perez (+120)
Garrett Armfield (-140) vs. Jose Johnson (+120)
Joe Solecki (-550) vs. Carl Deaton (+400)
Mike Malott (-225) vs. Yohan Lainesse (+185)
Victor Martinez (-115) vs. Jordan Leavitt (-105)
