Ryan Spann’s Journey from a 15-Second KO to a UFC Veteran
Ryan Spann's story in the UFC is one of resilience, setbacks, and comebacks. If you’ve been following the fight game, you know it’s not always about how you start, but how you respond to adversity. This weekend, Spann steps into the Octagon once again at UFC Vegas 104, but let’s rewind to where it all began.
Back in 2017, the UFC launched Dana White’s Contender Series—a proving ground for fighters looking to secure a contract with the biggest MMA promotion in the world. Spann, already a rising prospect, got his shot early on, in the third episode of the series. Facing Karl Roberson, ‘Superman’ was expected to make a statement. Instead, he found himself on the wrong end of a highlight-reel knockout. Just seconds into the fight, Spann left his head vulnerable while attempting a takedown. Roberson capitalized, landing sharp elbows that knocked Spann out cold in just 15 seconds. Imagine that—stepping into the biggest opportunity of your career and getting stopped before you can even break a sweat.
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For many, a loss like that could have been the end of the road. But not for Ryan Spann. Rather than letting the setback define him, he returned to the regional scene, racking up three dominant wins in LFA and even securing the promotion’s light heavyweight title. That performance earned him a second chance on the Contender Series in 2018, and this time, he didn’t let the opportunity slip away. Facing Emiliano Sordi, Spann wasted no time, knocking him down with a clean right hand and locking in a guillotine choke that put his opponent to sleep. That victory secured him a UFC contract, and from there, his real journey began.
Spann started strong in the UFC, winning his first four fights and quickly establishing himself as a threat in the light heavyweight division. However, the road wasn’t without bumps. He suffered a brutal knockout loss to Johnny Walker in 2020 but bounced back with key wins, including a spectacular first-round knockout of Dominick Reyes in 2022. Unfortunately, he then faced a rough patch, dropping three consecutive fights before redeeming himself with a submission victory over Ovince St. Preux.
Now, Spann is making another big move—stepping up to the heavyweight division. This weekend at UFC Vegas 104, he faces Waldo Cortes-Acosta in a highly anticipated bout. It’s a new challenge, a fresh start, and a chance for ‘Superman’ to show that he belongs among the best.
From a devastating 15-second knockout to becoming a UFC veteran, Ryan Spann’s career is a testament to perseverance. He’s taken his losses, learned from them, and kept pushing forward. This weekend, he steps into the cage once again—not just to fight, but to prove that setbacks don’t define a fighter. It’s how you respond that matters. Let’s see what ‘Superman’ has in store for us this time.
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