Anthony Smith used crisp striking to stun Ryan Spann and then a rear-naked choke to earn the submission victory in the main event of UFC Vegas 37 in Las Vegas.
Spann tried to pressure Smith from the opening, using a body lock to contain him. Smith broke free and landed a shot that stunned “Superman” but he recovered, rolling with a Smith armbar attempt back to the feet.
But Smith connected again in an exchange that dropped Spann and this time, Smith pounced to flatten Spann out and apply the rear-naked choke.
Referee Herb Dean called the bout at 3:47 of the first frame.
“I'm figuring this fighting thing out, and it feels really good.”
After submitting Ryan Spann in the first round, @LionheartASmith feels like he's coming into the best form of his career and believes he's close to challenging for the title again.
More #UFCVegas37 Results ⬇️:
— UFC News (@UFCNews) September 19, 2021
The win was third consecutive finish for Smith, 33, with a chance to improve on his current No. 6 ranking. Spann has now been finished twice in his last three bouts.
4️⃣ Performance bonuses going out!
💰 Shoutout to @LionheartASmith, @ArmanUFC, Nate Maness, & @NewMansa94! #UFCVegas37
[ B2YB @IconMeals | https://t.co/PwLNbaNTVz ] pic.twitter.com/g7NoZjbkR8
— UFC (@ufc) September 19, 2021
Smith, Arman Tsayrukyan, Joaquin Buckley, and Nate Maness all earned performances of the night and a $50,000 USD bonus apiece.
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.
In case you missed the prelims:
HANNAH GOLDY DEF. EMILY WHITMORE VIA SUBMISSION (ARMBAR) R1 4:17
GUSTAVO LOPEZ VS. HEILI ALATENG UNANIMOUS DRAW (28-28, 28-28, 28-28)
CARLSTON HARRIS DEF. IMPA KASANGANAY VIA TKO (STRIKES) R1 2:38
ERIN BLANCHFIELD DEF. SARAH ALPAR VIA UD (30-25, 30-25, 30-26)
MONTEL JACKSON DEF. JP BUYS VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
ZHU RONG DEF. BRANDON JENKINS VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R3 4:35
RAQUEL PENNINGTON DEF. PANNIE KIANZAD VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
TAFON NCHUKWI DEF. MIKE RODRIGUEZ VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
MAIN CARD
JOAQUIN BUCKLEY VS. ANTONIO ARROYO
Needing a finish, @NewMansa94 gets it done in the 3rd 🔥🔥🔥 #UFCVegas37 pic.twitter.com/DUJm5T4Cwu
— UFC (@ufc) September 18, 2021
WINNER: JOAQUIN BUCKLEY VIA KO (PUNCHES) R3 2:26
ANDREWS PREDICTIN: JOAQUIN BUCKLEY VIA TKO
Andrews: Wow! Nice right hand to seal the deal.
NATE MANESS VS. TONY GRAVELY
ARE YOU SERIOUS!!!!!!!! 😱 #UFCVegas37 pic.twitter.com/LbdKwW0ebo
— UFC (@ufc) September 19, 2021
WINNER: NATE MANESS VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R2 2:10
ANDREWS PREDICTION: NATE MANESS VIA UD
Andrews: I thought this one would go the distance but Maness beat Gravely to the punch, literally.
ARMAN TSARUKYAN VS. CHRISTOS GIAGOS
Arman Tsarukyan got the finish he was calling for 🔥 #UFCVegas37 pic.twitter.com/y2qVym6ZgO
— UFC (@ufc) September 19, 2021
WINNER: ARMAN TSARUKYAN VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R1 2:09
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ARMAN TSARUKYAN VIA UD
Andrews: Arman left no doubt.
ARIANE LIPSKI VS. MANDY BOHN
Queen 👏 Of 👏 Violence 👏
[ @Ariane_Lipski | #UFCVegas37 ] pic.twitter.com/ojQQB7T1tX
— UFC (@ufc) September 19, 2021
WINNER: ARIANE LIPSKI VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ARIANE LIPSKI VIA TKO
Andrews: Lipski outworked Bohn each round.
ION CUTELABA VS. DEVIN CLARK
How did he survive this 🤯 #UFCVegas37 pic.twitter.com/mlArHL8DQv
— UFC (@ufc) September 19, 2021
WINNER: ION CUTELABA VIA UD (30-26, 29-26, 29-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: DEVIN CLARK VIA UD
Andrews: Cutelaba was actually a beast in the octagon too and boy did Devin pay the price.
MAIN EVENT
#6 ANTHONY SMITH VS. #11 RYAN SPANN
After literally being carried across the Octagon Smith DROPS Spann 😱 #UFCVegas37 pic.twitter.com/5gWBCHfhFK
— UFC (@ufc) September 19, 2021
WINNER: ANTHONY SMITH VIA SUBMISSION (RNC) R1 3:47
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ANTHONY SMITH VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: Smith looked like Bret Hitman Hart out there. Excellence of execution.
