Ryan Spann needed a performance of the Night to defeat Ovince Saint Preux and save his UFC career last October. The American fighter will need a repeat performance to stand any chance against streaking Dominican Waldo Cortes-Acosta when the two collide in a heavyweight bout in the prelims of UFC Fight Night 254. Cortes-Acosta has won three consecutive fights and is thus the favorite of the bookmakers ahead of the contest at the UFC Apex this weekend. Ryan Spann will be making his heavyweight debut.
Bet on Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Ryan Spann with 1xBet
MMA: UFC Heavyweight
Where to Watch: ESPN+
Venue: UFC Apex, Las Vegas
Date: 16.03.2025 01:00
Waldo Cortes-Acosta
The 33-year-old Dominican, who originally came to the USA to play Baseball, holds down the number 12 spot in the UFC heavyweight rankings, off the back of a sensational start to his UFC career that has since delivered a 5-1 record. The former LFA heavyweight champ debuted in the UFC in October 2022, having earned a contract in August of the same year via the Contender Series 48. “Salsa Boy” had notched ten pro boxing bouts before transitioning to MMA, where his solo loss came against Marcos Rogerio de Lima in his third fight in the UFC. Waldo Cortes-Acosta can boast of the scalps of Chase Sherman, Andre Arlovski, and Jared Vanderaa, defeating them all by unanimous decision.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 33
- Height: 6’4”
- Reach: 78”
- Weight: 265lbs (120kg)
- Record: 12-1
Ryan Spann
A veteran of MMA, American Ryan Spann has been fighting professionally for over ten years and made his UFC debut in 2018. The former LFA light heavyweight champion has struggled with his weight in the UFC, having to fight at catchweight a couple of times. Before submitting Ovince Saint Preux last year, "Superman" had lost three straight fights. A DWCS grad, Spann began his UFC career with four straight victories but has only won four of nine since then. The Memphis native has decided to move up in weight to have an easier weight cut and concentrate on his skills. The 33-year-old's resume includes victories over Dominik Reyes, Ion Cutelaba, and Misha Cirkunov.
Tale of Tapes
- Age: 33
- Height: 6'5"
- Reach: 79"
- Weight: 265 lbs (120kg)
- Record: 22-10
Betting Odds
Ryan Spann is a 2.75 underdog on Betway. The American is also priced at 2.40 odds on Bet365. On 1xbet, over 2.5 is at 2 odds, while the under is priced at 1.76. Read more here.
Bet on Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Ryan Spann with 1xBet
