Serghei Spivac vs. Ante Delija — ante delija prediction for UFC Houston

On February 21, 2026, Serghei Spivac meets ante delija on the main card of UFC Fight Night 267 at Toyota Center in Houston, a matchup that has immediate betting implications and a clear prediction attached. The bout pairs two heavyweights with recent losses and contrasting profiles that matter for matchup dynamics and wagering.

When and where: UFC Fight Night 267 at Toyota Center, expected walk time

The heavyweight pairing sits on the main card of UFC Fight Night 267 at Toyota Center in Houston on Saturday, February 21, 2026. Spivac and Delija are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 9: 10 p. m. ET.

Serghei Spivac’s recent form, measurements and bout history

Spivac enters the fight listed with a 17-6 MMA ledger and an 8-6 mark in the promotion; another record listing shows 17-6-0. He is identified as an orthodox fighter, commonly noted at 6'3" with a 78" reach and a weight listed at 260 pounds. One profile lists his age as 31 and his nickname as "Polar Bear. "

On recent form, Spivac endured back-to-back losses that made for a difficult 2025: he was stopped in the first round in January by Jailton Almeida, who is described in one item as recently released, and he then lost a decision in June to Waldo Cortes-Acosta. His last recorded win came as a first-round submission of Marcin Tybura in August 2024. In his most recent contest against Waldo Cortes Acosta he lost by unanimous decision in round 3; totals show Acosta landing 111 of 236 total strikes while Spivac landed 53 of 124 total strikes, with Spivac connecting on 48 of 119 significant strikes (40%).

Ante Delija’s record, measurements and the controversial November stoppage

Ante Delija appears with a 26-7 MMA record and a 1-1 mark in the promotion; another listing shows 26-7-0. He is an orthodox 6'3" fighter with a wingspan listed at 78" and a fight weight listed at 239 pounds; one profile lists his age as 35 and his nickname as "Walking Trouble. "

Delija lost his November bout to Waldo Cortes-Acosta by a first-round finish, a contest described as featuring a controversial stop and restart that resulted in the first-round loss. He believed he had won that fight, and commentary in the record notes that the Nevada State Athletic Commission and onsite officials botched his last fight. Before that loss, Delija won his UFC debut by finishing Marcin Tybura in the first round. In the Delija-Acosta matchup, Delija connected on 16 of 36 significant strikes (44%) and 13 of 33 significant strikes to the head; Acosta landed 12 of 17 significant strikes, and, by another tally, Acosta landed 9 of 11 aimed at the head. Total strikes in that contest show Acosta landing 18 of 24 while Delija connected on 18 of 38.

Striking, wrestling and statistical matchup edges

Measured metrics paint different pictures for each man. One set of figures lists Spivac connecting on 3. 45 significant strikes per minute while Delija registers 4. 81 per minute. Spivac is shown landing 48% of the significant strikes he attempts; Delija is shown landing 45% of his attempts. On defense, Spivac is listed as absorbing 4. 25 significant strikes per minute and deflecting 50% of the significant shots thrown his way; Delija is listed as taking 2. 65 significant strikes per minute and stopping 38% of shots thrown at him.

Wrestling numbers favor Spivac: he is credited with scoring takedowns 4. 21 times per three rounds, finishing 62% of his takedown attempts and stuffing 63% of opponents' attempts. Delija is shown finishing 15% of his takedown tries and stuffing 15% of attempts against him. Submission attempts are listed as 0. 5 subs per three rounds for Spivac and 0. 4 subs per 15 minutes for Delija, reflecting differing unit framings in the available data.

Odds, official pick and the narrative shaping betting dynamics

Public and oddsmaker pricing is inconsistent across the available sets: one set of odds lists Delija at -142 and Spivac at +116, while another lists Spivac at +115 and Delija at -135. The stated official pick for the matchup is Delija by knockout in Round 1. Commentary that accompanies the pick argues that Spivac is one of a small group of heavyweights on the roster who can grapple competently and that, in a smaller octagon, the pick author might favor Spivac outright; nonetheless the pick author leans to Delija to redeem himself after the controversial November stoppage.

• Notable parallels: both Delija and Spivac have first-round finishes of Marcin Tybura on their recent résumés.
• Comparative note: the matchup is suggested to be more exciting than a recent bout headlined by Jailton Almeida opposite Rizvan Kuniev on the prior card.