Ryan Spann
Superman
USA
Earns first win at heavyweight
Spann defeated Lukasz Brzeski via submission (guillotine choke) at 2:47 of Round 1 at UFC 318 on Saturday in New Orleans.
ANALYSIS
Spann moved up to heavyweight in March following an uneven run at 205 pounds and was knocked out by Waldo Cortes-Acosta. He got his second crack here against arguably the weakest fighter in the division and took full advantage. Brzeski has some power, so Spann didn't even bother engaging with him on the feet. He secured an easy takedown shortly after the opening bell rang and worked towards the guillotine choke which closed the show. Spann has had some strong performances in his career, although he's always been woefully inconsistent. That seems unlikely to change at age 33 in his new digs.
Spann moved up to heavyweight in March following an uneven run at 205 pounds and was knocked out by Waldo Cortes-Acosta. He got his second crack here against arguably the weakest fighter in the division and took full advantage. Brzeski has some power, so Spann didn't even bother engaging with him on the feet. He secured an easy takedown shortly after the opening bell rang and worked towards the guillotine choke which closed the show. Spann has had some strong performances in his career, although he's always been woefully inconsistent. That seems unlikely to change at age 33 in his new digs.
Fight Log
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More Fantasy News
Taking on Brzeski in July
Spann will fight Lukasz Brzeski at UFC 318 on July 19, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Spann will head into the bout looking to bounce back from his recent defeat at the hands of Waldo Cortes-Acosta in March. The 6-foot-5 American will take slight advantages in both height and reach into the fight against the 33-year-old Polish fighter. The American submission specialist will almost certainly look to use the ground game in this one, though Brzeski owns a perfect professional record in submission finishes, albeit with only two such finishes in his career.
Spann will head into the bout looking to bounce back from his recent defeat at the hands of Waldo Cortes-Acosta in March. The 6-foot-5 American will take slight advantages in both height and reach into the fight against the 33-year-old Polish fighter. The American submission specialist will almost certainly look to use the ground game in this one, though Brzeski owns a perfect professional record in submission finishes, albeit with only two such finishes in his career.
Move to heavyweight fails
Spann lost to Waldo Cortes-Acosta via TKO (punches) at 4:48 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Spann's move up from light heavyweight to heavyweight didn't go as planned. His cardio, a major issue at 205 pounds, appeared no better in the higher weight class. He was semi-competitive in some early striking exchanges between the two men before fading massively later on. Spann also absorbed a couple fouls from Cortes-Acosta which didn't help matters. It almost certainly wouldn't have mattered either way. Spann's future plans are unclear, but at 33 years old and sporting a 1-3 record in his past four fights, he may have no say in the matter.
Spann's move up from light heavyweight to heavyweight didn't go as planned. His cardio, a major issue at 205 pounds, appeared no better in the higher weight class. He was semi-competitive in some early striking exchanges between the two men before fading massively later on. Spann also absorbed a couple fouls from Cortes-Acosta which didn't help matters. It almost certainly wouldn't have mattered either way. Spann's future plans are unclear, but at 33 years old and sporting a 1-3 record in his past four fights, he may have no say in the matter.
Next fight scheduled
Spann is scheduled to compete against Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC Vegas 104 on March 15, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Spann's next opponent is a heavyweight, and Dorff has not mentioned what weight this scheduled bout will take place at come March. Spann's last fight was a win over Ovince Saint Preux.
Spann's next opponent is a heavyweight, and Dorff has not mentioned what weight this scheduled bout will take place at come March. Spann's last fight was a win over Ovince Saint Preux.
Snaps three-fight losing streak
Spann defeated Ovince Saint Preux via submission (guillotine choke) at 1:35 of Round 1 at UFC 307 on Saturday in Salt Lake City.
ANALYSIS
These two were scheduled to fight last month before OSP withdrew on fight night due to an illness. They got it on here, and Spann left zero doubt who the better man was. Spann got loose early on the feet before Saint Preux left his neck exposed in defense. Ryan immediately clamped on the guillotine choke, eventually dragging OSP to the mat to close the show. Spann entered having lost three in a row and likely would have been handed his walking papers had he come up short against Saint Preux. Instead, he'll get both the victory and a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
These two were scheduled to fight last month before OSP withdrew on fight night due to an illness. They got it on here, and Spann left zero doubt who the better man was. Spann got loose early on the feet before Saint Preux left his neck exposed in defense. Ryan immediately clamped on the guillotine choke, eventually dragging OSP to the mat to close the show. Spann entered having lost three in a row and likely would have been handed his walking papers had he come up short against Saint Preux. Instead, he'll get both the victory and a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
Saint Preux bout re-scheduled
Spann (not injury related) is scheduled to take on Ovince Saint Preux at UFC 307 on Oct. 5, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Spann was set to face Saint Preux at UFC Vegas 97 on Saturday, Sep. 7, but the bout got canceled due to an illness. Spann is riding a three-match losing streak and hasn't won a fight since 2022, so he'll aim to bounce back here against an opponent that has to recover from an illness before being at full strength for this event.
Spann was set to face Saint Preux at UFC Vegas 97 on Saturday, Sep. 7, but the bout got canceled due to an illness. Spann is riding a three-match losing streak and hasn't won a fight since 2022, so he'll aim to bounce back here against an opponent that has to recover from an illness before being at full strength for this event.