Ryan “Superman”Spann

Born on August 24, 1991, Ryan Jamari Spann has made an indelible mark on the landscape of mixed martial arts sports worldwide. The American dynamo specializes in the domain of the Light Heavyweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Since his initial foray into the professional arena in 2013, Spann has fought for towering establishments like the Legacy Fighting Alliance, even earning the coveted title of the Light Heavyweight Champion. As of December 12, 2023, he registers as number 11 in the UFC light heavyweight rankings.

Hailing from Westwood, Memphis, Tennessee, Spann’s aptitude for martial arts blossomed from his early childhood. Succumbing to the allure of the ring, he started his professional career in 2013 after securing a 3–1 amateur record as a Middleweight and Welterweight. Spann’s proficiency isn’t confined to the UFC, the fighter was critically acclaimed in the regional Legacy Fighting Championship and Legacy Fighting Alliance where he triumphed as the Light Heavyweight Champion. Prior to his debut in Dana White’s Contender Series, the athlete achieved an impressive record of 13-5.

The budding star featured in Dana White’s Contender Series 3 on July 25, 2017, squaring off against Karl Roberson, but unfortunately, Spann was defeated by knockout due to Roberson’s well-aimed elbows in the first round. Reflecting resilience, Spann faced Emiliano Sordi in Dana White’s Contender Series 10 on June 19, 2018. With a guillotine choke, he not only won the fight in the first round but the victory also secured him a UFC contract.

Spann’s UFC debut on September 22, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Anders, welcomed a face-off with Luis Henrique replacing the injured Mark Godbeer. The fight crowned Spann with a victory after a unanimous decision favored him. Spann’s second UFC fight on May 11, 2019, at UFC 237 pitted him against Antônio Rogério Nogueira, a clash he ended with a knockout in the first round. Following this, he fought and won against Devin Clark on October 12, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Joanna vs. Waterson, submitting Clark in the second round.

Spann was slated to face Ovince Saint Preux on February 8, 2020, at UFC 247. However, with changes in UFC plans, the event was called off. Instead, Spann was paired with Paul Craig on March 21, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs. Edwards, which was ultimately canceled. Unfazed by the previous abrupt changes, Spann met Sam Alvey on May 9, 2020, at UFC 249. Although Alvey knocked him down in the third round, Spann managed to win the fight via split decision.

Spann’s journey continued with an initial booking to compete with Johnny Walker at UFC Fight Night 176 on September 5, 2020. However, Walker tested positive for COVID-19, hence rescheduling the bout to September 19, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 178. Despite knocking Walker down twice in the first round, Spann lost the fight by knockout. He was then lined up to face Misha Cirkunov on December 19, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 183, but a Cirkunov injury led to the bout’s delay till March 13, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 187. Spann won the fight via technical knockout in the first round. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Spann subsequently faced Anthony Smith on September 18, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 192, resulting in a loss for Spann via rear-naked choke submission in the first round. Following this, Spann was to go against Ion Cuțelaba on February 26, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 202, but an injury forced Spann to step away from the event. The bout was rescheduled for UFC on ESPN 36. He won the bout with a guillotine choke in the first round, earning him his second Performance of the Night bonus award.

Spann went on to face Dominick Reyes on November 12, 2022, at UFC 281. He won it by knockout in the first round. Due to a slight overweight at the weigh-ins, Spann had to give 20% of his fight purse to his opponent Reyes. Spann’s next bout was scheduled against Nikita Krylov on February 25, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 220 but was cancelled due to Krylov’s illness on the event day. The fight got rescheduled and took place at UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Dvalishvili. Spann lost the contest via a triangle choke submission in the first round. He was later lined up against Anthony Smith in a rematch on August 26, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 225, but unfortunately, Spann lost the closely contested fight via split decision.