Jon Jones is, arguably, the most polarizing figure in MMA history. If the sport grew on you when the likes of Daniel Cormier were its ambassadors, then you probably hate him. After all, Jones beat DC after a “weekend of coc**ne“, and continues to taunt him, asking him to return. Years later, he continues to force the UFC to its knees, getting the promotion to tow his will.
Then there are those like Ryan Spann, who simply admire the champ’s nonchalant confidence, arrogance and skill. As Spann prepares to step into the cage at UFC Fight Night 254 this weekend, he credits Jones as a key source of motivation. The 33-year-old American, who has primarily fought in the light heavyweight division, is making a jump to the top class. The move is also inspired by Jones’ journey.
It seems the latest entrant in the heavyweight division has used the champ’s resilience as a blueprint to try and transform his career. Known for his dynamic fighting style, Spann’s professional MMA record of 21 wins and 10 losses doesn’t do justice to the entertainment quotient he brings into the octagon.
He comes into the cage all guns blazing. Only three of Spann’s fights have made it to the third round. Six of his last eight fights have failed to go beyond the first round. Win or lose, he swings for the fence every single time. Spann claims his fearless, rather careless, fighting style is because he comes from a hard life and has persevered a lot, much like Jones.
“That’s why I respect Jon [Jones] so much, because Jon goes through things that everybody is aware of, but he can still focus and balance and do what he’s gotta do in there,” Spann told the UFC ahead of his fight against Waldo Cortes-Acosta.
Spann claims that he still has a long road to walk, and the key to success is consistency, something he’s been trying to achieve, while attempting to mimic Jones’ career trajectory.
After losing on his UFC debut in 2017, Spann bounced back with five straight wins and managed to get a 7-3 record from his first 10 fights. It went sideways after that. His last big victory came against Dominic Reyes at UFC 281 in 2022, following which he fell to a three-fight skid.
It was during this rough patch that Spann realized he needed to rethink his approach to fighting. He made a transition to heavyweight, a process that took his idol, Jones, three years to complete.
It’s an incredibly difficult job to hop from one weight to another and be successful. Only a handful of fighters have truly been able to do that. Even Jones’ success at heavyweight, despite holding the title, continues to be under question.
This means Spann has his task cut out for him. But he is not too worried about the next fight.
Not the final form, claims Spann
After spending his entire UFC career at light heavyweight, Spann (22-10 MMA, 8-5 UFC) is set to make his heavyweight debut against Cortes-Acosta (12-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) at the UFC Apex. And he’s eager to show what he can do without the struggles of a weight cut.
He knows this heavyweight journey is just beginning and claims no matter how he looks on debut, he is only going to get better.
“This is the new look, but this isn’t the final form,” Spann said. He’s been bulking up the right way, maintaining his speed and athleticism, and says he’s enjoying training now more than ever.
“I train close to the weight y’all are going to see Friday. Before, I spent so much time cutting weight that I wasn’t doing what I should’ve been doing to get ready,” he added, sounding happy that he is not starving and dehydrating himself before a bout.
In the meantime, what is his plan for Saturday? “Have fun, trust the process — it’s going to come.”
