Ryan Jamari Spann[3] (born August 24, 1991) is an American mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2013, he has also fought for the Legacy Fighting Alliance, where he was the Light Heavyweight Champion.

Ryan Spann
BornRyan Jamari Spann
(1991-08-24) August 24, 1991 (age 33)
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.[1]
Other namesSuperman
Height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
DivisionLight Heavyweight
Middleweight
Reach79 in (201 cm)[1]
Fighting out ofBeaumont, Texas, U.S.
TeamFortis MMA
RankBlue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Brian Hall[2]
Years active2013–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total32
Wins22
By knockout6
By submission13
By decision3
Losses10
By knockout4
By submission3
By decision3
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

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Spann grew up in Westwood, Memphis, Tennessee, and began training martial arts in his early childhood.[4]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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After compiling a 3–1 amateur record as a Middleweight and Welterweight, Spann started his professional career in 2013. He fought under various promotions, notably the regional Legacy Fighting Championship and Legacy Fighting Alliance where he was the Light Heavyweight Champion.[5] He amassed a record of 13-5 prior participated in Dana White's Contender Series.[6]

Dana White's Contender Series

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Spann appeared in Dana White's Contender Series 3 on July 25, 2017, against Karl Roberson. He lost the fight by knockout due to elbows in round one.[7]

Spann's second appearance in Dana White's Contender Series 10 came on June 19, 2018, against Emiliano Sordi. He won the fight via guillotine choke in round one and he was awarded a UFC contract.[8]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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Spann made his UFC debut on September 22, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Anders, facing Luis Henrique, replacing an injured Mark Godbeer.[9] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[10]

Spann's second UFC fight came on 11 May 2019, 2019 at UFC 237 against Antônio Rogério Nogueira.[11] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[12]

Spann faced Devin Clark on October 12, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Joanna vs. Waterson.[13] He won the fight via submission in round two.[14]

Spann was briefly linked to face Ovince Saint Preux on February 8, 2020, at UFC 247.[15] However, promotion matchmakers elected to go in another direction and the pairing was scrapped from the event.[16] Instead, Spann was booked against Paul Craig on March 21, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs. Edwards.[17] However, the event was cancelled.[18]

Spann faced Sam Alvey May 9, 2020, at UFC 249.[19] Despite getting knocked down in the third round, Spann won the fight via split decision.[20][21]

Spann was initially scheduled to face Johnny Walker at UFC Fight Night 176 on September 5, 2020.[22] However, Walker tested positive for COVID-19 and the bout was postponed to September 19, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 178.[23][22] Despite dropping Walker twice in the first round, Spann would go onto lose the fight via knockout.[24]

Spann was expected to face Misha Cirkunov on December 19, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 183.[25] However, Cirkunov pulled out in early December due to an injury.[26] The fight was rescheduled to March 13, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 187.[27] After initially knocking Cirkunov down during the first minute, Spann won the fight via technical knockout in round one.[28] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[29]

Spann faced Anthony Smith on September 18, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 192.[30] He lost the fight via rear-naked choke submission in round one.[31]

Spann was scheduled to face Ion Cuțelaba on February 26, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 202.[32] However, Spann was pulled from the event due to injury[33] and the bout was rescheduled for UFC on ESPN 36.[34] He won the bout via guillotine choke in the first round.[35] The win earned Spann his second Performance of the Night bonus award.[36]

Spann faced Dominick Reyes on November 12, 2022, at UFC 281.[37] At the weigh-ins, Spann weighed in at 206.6 pounds, six tenths of a pound over the light heavyweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at a catchweight with Spann fined 20% of his purse, which went to his opponent Reyes.[38] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[39]

Spann was scheduled to face Nikita Krylov on February 25, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 220.[40] However, the day of the event, Krylov fell ill to a food-borne illness and the main event was cancelled[41] and the pair was rescheduled to meet at UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Dvalishvili two weeks later.[42] He lost the fight via a triangle choke submission in the first round.[43]

Spann faced Anthony Smith in a rematch on August 26, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 225.[44] He lost the close bout via split decision.[45]

Spann faced Bogdan Guskov on April 27, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 55[46] He lost the fight via technical knockout as a result of ground-and-pound punches.[47]

Spann was scheduled to face Ovince Saint Preux on September 7, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 242.[48] However, Saint Preux withdrew from the fight due to an illness and the bout was moved to October 5, 2024 at UFC 307 as a result.[49][50] Spann won the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the first round.[51] This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.[52]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
32 matches 22 wins 10 losses
By knockout 6 4
By submission 13 3
By decision 3 3
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 22–10 Ovince Saint Preux Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 307 October 5, 2024 1 1:35 Salt Lake City, Utah, United States Performance of the Night.
Loss 21–10 Bogdan Guskov TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Nicolau vs. Perez April 27, 2024 2 3:16 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 21–9 Anthony Smith Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. The Korean Zombie August 26, 2023 3 5:00 Kallang, Singapore
Loss 21–8 Nikita Krylov Submission (triangle choke) UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Dvalishvili March 11, 2023 1 3:38 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Catchweight (215 lb) bout.
Win 21–7 Dominick Reyes KO (punches) UFC 281 November 12, 2022 1 1:20 New York City, New York, United States Catchweight (206.6 lb) bout; Spann missed weight.
Win 20–7 Ion Cuțelaba Submission (guillotine choke) UFC on ESPN: Błachowicz vs. Rakić May 14, 2022 1 2:22 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Loss 19–7 Anthony Smith Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Spann September 18, 2021 1 3:47 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 19–6 Misha Cirkunov TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad March 13, 2021 1 1:11 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Loss 18–6 Johnny Walker KO (elbows and punches) UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley September 19, 2020 1 2:43 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 18–5 Sam Alvey Decision (split) UFC 249 May 9, 2020 3 5:00 Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Win 17–5 Devin Clark Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Joanna vs. Waterson October 12, 2019 2 2:01 Tampa, Florida, United States
Win 16–5 Antônio Rogério Nogueira KO (punches) UFC 237 May 11, 2019 1 2:07 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win 15–5 Luis Henrique Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Anders September 22, 2018 3 5:00 São Paulo, Brazil
Win 14–5 Emiliano Sordi Submission (guillotine choke) Dana White's Contender Series 10 June 19, 2018 1 0:26 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 13–5 Alex Nicholson KO (punches) LFA 32 January 26, 2018 1 4:24 Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States Won the vacant LFA Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 12–5 Myron Dennis KO (punches) LFA 27 November 10, 2017 1 3:08 Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States
Win 11–5 LeMarcus Tucker Submission (rear-naked choke) LFA 23 September 22, 2017 1 2:55 Bossier City, Louisiana, United States Return to Light Heavyweight.
Loss 10–5 Karl Roberson KO (elbows) Dana White's Contender Series 3 July 25, 2017 1 0:15 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 10–4 Roman Pizzolato Submission (guillotine choke) World Fighting Championships 72 May 13, 2017 1 0:20 Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
Loss 9–4 Trevin Giles Decision (split) LFA 3 February 10, 2017 3 5:00 Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States Return to Middleweight.
Loss 9–3 Robert Drysdale Submission (rear-naked choke) Legacy FC 58 July 22, 2016 2 2:58 Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States For the vacant Legacy FC Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 9–2 Aaron Davis Submission (guillotine choke) Legacy FC 52 Mar 25, 2016 1 2:53 Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States Return to Light Heavyweight.
Loss 8–2 Leo Leite Decision (unanimous) Legacy FC 48 Nov 13, 2015 5 5:00 Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States For the Legacy FC Middleweight Championship.
Win 8–1 Larry Crowe KO (punches) Legacy FC 42 June 26, 2015 1 0:08 Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States
Win 7–1 Dwight Gipson Submission (guillotine choke) Vengeance Fighting Alliance: Round 5 May 9, 2015 1 4:39 Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States
Win 6–1 Artenas Young Submission (guillotine choke) Fury Fighting 4 February 13, 2015 3 2:32 Humble, Texas, United States
Loss 5–1 Brandon Farran TKO (punches) Hero FC: Best of the Best 3 September 12, 2014 1 0:21 Brownsville, Texas, United States Lost the Hero FC Middleweight Championship.
Win 5–0 Randy McCarty Decision (unanimous) Hero FC: Best of the Best 1 February 1, 2014 3 5:00 Harlingen, Texas, United States Won the Hero FC Middleweight Championship.
Win 4–0 Jhonoven Pati Submission (guillotine choke) Hero FC: Texas Pride September 28, 2013 1 2:32 Beaumont, Texas, United States
Win 3–0 Brandon Atkins Submission (guillotine choke) Hero FC: Pride of the Valley 2 June 21, 2013 1 0:44 Pharr, Texas, United States Return to Middleweight.
Win 2–0 Steven Zamora Submission (rear-naked choke) El Orgullo del Valle March 16, 2013 1 2:25 Pharr, Texas, United States Light Heavyweight debut.
Win 1–0 Aaron Lebrun Submission (rear-naked choke) Vengeance Fighting Alliance: Round 1 February 16, 2013 1 N/A Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States Middleweight debut.

[53]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Ryan Spann | UFC". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2019-10-13.
  2. ^ @lawschoolmma (March 15, 2021). "lawschoolmma Congratulations to @superman_spann on receiving his blue belt in BJJ". Retrieved September 18, 2021 – via Instagram.
  3. ^ "Ryan Spann ("Superman") | MMA Fighter Page". Tapology. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
  4. ^ Gavin Porter (May 9, 2019). "Ryan Spann: From 'Superkid' to 'Superman'". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
  5. ^ a b "LFA 32 results and highlights: Ryan Spann drops Alex Nicholson for comeback title win". MMA Junkie. 2018-01-27. Retrieved 2019-10-15.
  6. ^ Sherdog.com. "Ryan". Sherdog. Retrieved 2019-10-13.
  7. ^ Segura, Danny (2017-07-25). "DWTNCS 3 results: Karl Roberson, Geoffrey Neal earn UFC contracts after quick finishes". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2019-10-14.
  8. ^ Lee, Alexander K. (2018-06-19). "DWTNCS results: Four fighters earn UFC contracts". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2019-10-13.
  9. ^ Camilo Pinheiro Machado, Evelyn Rodrigues and Marcelo Barone (2018-08-03). "Mark Godbeer suffers injury, and KLB faces Ryan Spann at UFC Sao Paulo" (in Portuguese). sportv.globo.com. Retrieved 2019-10-13.
  10. ^ "UFC Sao Paulo results: Ryan Spann grinds way past Luis Henrique for UFC debut victory". MMAjunkie. 2018-09-23. Retrieved 2019-10-13.
  11. ^ "Ultimate encaminha Rogério Minotouro x Ryan Spann para o UFC 237, 11 de maio, no Brasil". Sportv (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2019-10-13.
  12. ^ "UFC 227 results: Ryan Spann silences crowd with devastating KO of Antonio Rogerio Nogueira". MMA Junkie. 2019-05-12. Retrieved 2019-05-12.
  13. ^ "Light heavyweights Ryan Spann, Devin Clark meet at UFC on ESPN+ 19". MMA Junkie. 2019-08-06. Retrieved 2019-10-12.
  14. ^ Evanoff, Josh (2019-10-12). "UFC Tampa Results: Ryan Spann Chokes Out Devin Clark". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-10-13.
  15. ^ Sherdog.com. "Ovince St. Preux to Lock Horns with Ryan Spann at UFC Event on Feb. 8". Sherdog. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
  16. ^ Nolan King (2019-12-10). "Ovince Saint Preux vs. Ryan Spann canceled from UFC 247 in Houston". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2019-12-10.
  17. ^ Jay Anderson (December 19, 2019). "UFC London Adds Paul Craig vs. Ryan Spann". cagesidepress.com.
  18. ^ O2, The. "Cancelled | UFC FIGHT NIGHT: Woodley vs. Edwards | The O2". www.theo2.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-04-10.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  19. ^ "REVISED – UFC 249: Ferguson vs. Gaethje Fight Card | MMAWeekly.com". 2020-04-27. Retrieved 2020-05-03.
  20. ^ Doherty, Dan (2020-05-09). "UFC 249 Results: Ryan Spann Survives Late Push from Sam Alvey". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
  21. ^ Mike Bohn (May 9, 2020). "UFC 249 results: Ryan Spann survives late scare, edges Sam Alvey". mmajunkie.com.
  22. ^ a b Guilherme Cruz (September 16, 2020). "Johnny Walker had to postpone return to UFC Vegas 11 after COVID-19 positive test". mmafighting.com.
  23. ^ Guilherme Cruz, Damon Martin and Mike Heck (2020-08-18). "Johnny Walker vs. Ryan Spann remains on Sept. 19 event despite UFC 253 moving one week later". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-08-18.
  24. ^ McClory, Mike (2020-09-19). "UFC Vegas 11 Results: Johnny Walker Stops Ryan Spann in Wild Brawl". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
  25. ^ Adam Guillen Jr. (2020-11-17). "Cirkunov vs Spann, Eubanks vs Kianzad added to UFC Vegas 17 on Dec. 19". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
  26. ^ Staff (2020-12-05). "Updates to December 19 UFC Fight Night". ufc.com. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
  27. ^ Alexander K. Lee (2021-02-18). "Misha Cirkunov vs. Ryan Spann re-booked for March 13 UFC card". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2021-02-18.
  28. ^ Doherty, Dan (2021-03-13). "UFC Vegas 21 Results: Ryan Spann Finishes Misha Cirkunov Quickly". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  29. ^ a b Stephie Haynes (2021-03-13). "UFC Vegas 21 post-fight bonuses: Dan Ige quickly starches Gavin Tucker". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  30. ^ Martin, Damon (2021-06-05). "Anthony Smith vs. Ryan Spann booked for UFC event on Sept. 18". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-06-06.
  31. ^ Evanoff, Josh (2021-09-18). "UFC Vegas 37 Results: Anthony Smith Submits Ryan Spann". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-09-19.
  32. ^ DNA, MMA (2021-12-30). "Light-Heavyweight partij tussen Ryan Spann en Ion Cutelaba op 26 februari in Las Vegas". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
  33. ^ "Ion Cuțelaba vs. Ryan Spann off UFC Fight Night 202 on Feb. 26". MMA Junkie. 2022-02-03. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
  34. ^ "UFC | Spann vs. Cutelaba opnieuw ingepland, ditmaal voor 14 mei in Las Vegas". Eurosport (in Dutch). 2022-03-23. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
  35. ^ Doherty, Dan (2022-05-15). "UFC Vegas 54: Ryan Spann Chokes Out Ion Cutelaba in First". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-05-15.
  36. ^ a b Dan Hiergesell (2022-05-15). "UFC Vegas 54 bonuses: Manuel Torres leads $50K winners with debut knockout". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2022-05-15.
  37. ^ Mike Bohn (2022-08-15). "Dominick Reyes returns against Ryan Spann at UFC 281 in New York". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
  38. ^ Alexander K. Lee (2022-11-11). "UFC 281 weigh-in results: Alex Pereira makes weight at last minute, 2 miss". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
  39. ^ Val Dewar (2022-11-12). "UFC 281: Ryan Spann Makes Short Work of Returning Dominick Reyes". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
  40. ^ Anderson, Jay (2022-11-24). "Ryan Spann vs. Nikita Krylov Headlines UFC's Feb. 25 Event". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
  41. ^ Anderson, Jay (2023-02-25). "Nikita Krylov Out of UFC Vegas 70 Main Event Ryan Spann with Card Already Underway". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  42. ^ ATSteveDuncan (2023-02-26). "Nikita Krylov vs. Ryan Spann reprogramado para UFC Vegas 71". MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español. (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-02-27.
  43. ^ Val Dewar (2023-03-11). "UFC Las Vegas: Nikita Krylov submits Ryan Spann with triangle choke in chaotic scramblefest". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  44. ^ "Anthony Smith vs. Ryan Spann rematch added to UFC Fight Night in Singapore". mmajunkie.usatoday.com.
  45. ^ Dewar, Val (2023-08-26). "Anthony Smith Survives Knockdown, Eye Damage from Ryan Spann, Edges Split Decision". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
  46. ^ "UFC fight card lineup announced for April 27, including Ryan Spann vs. Bogdan Guskov". MMA Junkie. 2024-03-21. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  47. ^ Dewar, Val (2024-04-28). "UFC Vegas 91: Bogdan Guskov Stages Violent Comeback KO Over Ryan Spann". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
  48. ^ Nolan King (2024-07-29). "UFC books vets Ovince Saint Preux, Ryan Spann for September showdown". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  49. ^ Shaun Al-Shatti (2024-09-03). "UFC Vegas 97 loses Ovince Saint Preux vs. Ryan Spann due to illness". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  50. ^ MMA Fighting Staff (2024-09-05). "Ovince Saint Preux vs. Ryan Spann rescheduled for UFC 307". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
  51. ^ Jay Anderson (2024-10-05). "UFC 307: Ryan Spann Locks Up Early Guillotine of Ovince Saint Preux". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
  52. ^ a b Chris Taylor (2024-10-06). "UFC 307 Bonus Report: Joaquin Buckley one of four fighters to take home an extra $50k". bjpenn.com. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  53. ^ Sherdog.com. "Ryan". Sherdog. Retrieved 2019-11-22.
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