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UFC Houston MMA Match Preview: Serghei Spivac (17-6-0) vs. Ante Delija (26-7-0)

ByFight Editor

Event Overview

The UFC heads back to Houston for a stacked Fight Night card, headlined by a middleweight bout between Sean Strickland and Anthony Hernandez. This event showcases a mix of established contenders and promotional newcomers, with a heavyweight main card clash between Serghei Spivac and Ante Delija adding firepower. Houston’s enthusiastic MMA scene promises a vibrant crowd, marking the UFC’s return to the city since 2023 in a venue renowned for high-energy fight nights.

  • Venue Location: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas, United States. This multi-purpose arena holds up to 19,000 spectators for MMA events, featuring top-tier production and a legacy of hosting thrilling UFC bouts.
  • Prelims kick off at 5:00 PM ET (2:00 PM PST), with the main card at 8:00 PM ET (5:00 PM PST). The Spivac vs. Delija matchup is on the main card, expected around 9:00-10:00 PM ET, available on Paramount+.

Injury Report

Both Serghei Spivac and Ante Delija enter this bout without reported major injuries. Spivac is coming off a knockout loss in his last fight but has had time to recover, with no lingering issues noted in training camp. Delija, a former PFL champion making his UFC transition, suffered a first-round loss in November 2025 but appears fully prepared, focusing on grappling drills without setbacks. At ages 31 and 35, respectively, durability could play a role in a heavyweight scrap, but both are cleared for action.

Fighter Matchups: Serghei Spivac vs. Ante Delija

This heavyweight main card encounter pits Spivac’s sambo-based grappling against Delija’s well-rounded MMA style. Spivac’s submission threat could dominate if he secures takedowns, while Delija’s knockout power favors stand-up exchanges. A potential early finish looms (65% probability), but Spivac’s control could extend it to the judges.

Fighter Profiles and Recent Form

Serghei Spivac (“Polar Bear”)

  • Record: 17-6-0
  • Age: 31
  • Height/Reach: 6’3″ / 78″
  • Stance: Orthodox
  • Strengths: Elite submissions (10 wins); strong wrestling; high finishing rate (88%).
  • Weaknesses: Susceptible to knockouts in stand-up; recent losses to elite strikers.

Recent Form (Last 5 Fights):

DateOpponentResultMethodRound/Time
Sep 20, 2025Ciryl GaneLossKO (Punches)2 / 1:45
Mar 22, 2025Tyrell FortuneWinSubmission (Arm-Triangle Choke)1 / 3:12
Nov 2, 2024Tom AspinallLossSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)1 / 4:09
May 11, 2024Waldo Cortes-AcostaWinUnanimous Decision3 / 5:00
Nov 4, 2023Marcin TyburaWinSubmission (Arm-Triangle Choke)1 / 3:44

Spivac is 3-2 in his last five, with submissions highlighting his ground dominance but losses exposing striking vulnerabilities.

Ante Delija (“Walking Trouble”)

  • Record: 26-7-0
  • Age: 35
  • Height/Reach: 6’4″ / 79″
  • Stance: Orthodox
  • Strengths: Knockout power (12 KOs); versatile finisher (73% rate); former PFL champion.
  • Weaknesses: Grappling defense in prolonged fights; adjustment to UFC level.

Recent Form (Last 5 Fights):

DateOpponentResultMethodRound/Time
Nov 29, 2025Waldo Cortes-AcostaLossKO (Punches)1 / 2:31
Sep 6, 2025Marcin TyburaWinKO (Punches)1 / 4:12
Jun 28, 2025Renan FerreiraWinTKO (Punches)2 / 3:45
Apr 4, 2025Valentin MoldavskyWinUnanimous Decision3 / 5:00
Nov 24, 2024Denis GoltsovWinTKO (Punches)2 / 4:04

Delija is 4-1 in his last five, with three knockouts, but his UFC debut loss shows adaptation challenges.

Fight History

This marks the first meeting between Spivac and Delija. Originally scheduled for UFC 325 but rescheduled, no prior encounters or key common opponents provide direct comparisons. Stylistically, Spivac’s sambo could counter Delija’s striking, similar to Delija’s PFL bouts against grapplers.

FIGHT ODDS

Serghei Spivac   + 130

Ante Delija         – 150

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, February 20, 2026

RevGear

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