Ryan Spann
Active 2018–present · rated in 4 editions · peak overall 79.0
Scouting report
A "Superman guillotine" choke made Ryan "Superman" Spann a dangerous light heavyweight finisher out of Fortis MMA. Originating from Memphis, Tennessee, Spann surged into the top ten with first-round stoppages of Dominick Reyes, Ion Cutelaba, and Misha Cirkunov, his punch power and submission threat reflected in an 85 Boxing and 82 BJJ, anchoring a 79 Overall score.
Peak ratings
By edition
Spann put together an undefeated promotional start across 2018 and 2019, outpointing Luis Henrique in Sao Paulo, knocking out Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in round one in Rio de Janeiro, and submitting Devin Clark with a guillotine choke in Tampa. His 79-inch reach, front guillotine chokes, and power right hand are reflected in an 84 Boxing and 82 BJJ.
Between 2020 and 2021, Spann scored a first-round knockout of Misha Cirkunov with punches in Las Vegas, while losing to Johnny Walker by knockout and Anthony Smith by submission, both in the first round. His power punching, guillotine submissions, and physical strength anchor his 85 Boxing and 76 Wrestling ratings.
In 2022, Spann submitted Ion Cutelaba with a first-round guillotine choke and knocked out former title challenger Dominick Reyes in round one at UFC 281 in Madison Square Garden, before losing to Nikita Krylov by submission, Anthony Smith on a split decision and Bogdan Guskov by TKO. His guillotine threat and knockout power justify his 85 Boxing and 82 BJJ.
Ryan Spann, the Memphis light heavyweight who won on his second Contender Series try
Ryan Spann grew up in Westwood, Memphis, and began martial arts as a child. He was the LFA light heavyweight champion. In July 2017 he lost to Karl Roberson by first-round elbows on Dana White's Contender Series, and in June 2018 he returned and beat Emiliano Sordi with a first-round guillotine to earn a contract with the big promotion.
Spann, rating by rating
Boxing. Tied for the top at 85. He knocked out Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in the first round in 2019 and Dominick Reyes in the first round in 2022.
Kickboxing. 78. He dropped Johnny Walker twice in the first round of their 2020 fight, though Walker won by knockout.
Wrestling. His lowest at 76, nine points below his boxing.
BJJ. 82. He submitted Devin Clark in round two in 2019 and Ion Cutelaba by guillotine in 2022.
Strength. Also 85, level with his boxing.
Durability. 78. He survived being dropped by Sam Alvey in the third round in 2020 and won a split decision.
Cardio. 80. He went three full rounds with Alvey in 2020 and won.
Fight IQ. 78. Anthony Smith caught him with a rear-naked choke in 2021, and won a split decision in the 2023 rematch.
Boxing and strength tie for the top at 85
Boxing and strength both sit at 85 on his 2020 card. In March 2021 he knocked down Misha Cirkunov in the first minute and won by TKO in round one, earning a Performance of the Night bonus. He later added guillotine finishes of Ion Cutelaba and Ovince Saint Preux, both with bonuses.
Wrestling at 76 gives grapplers an opening
Wrestling is the lowest rating at 76. Anthony Smith choked him in 2021, Nikita Krylov caught him in a triangle in 2023, and Smith beat him by split decision that August. Two of the three ended by submission.
Keep exploring
Closest light heavyweight profiles to Ryan Spann, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Thiago Silvabest boxing 84 · weakest wrestling 76
- Ovince Saint Preuxbest strength 85 · weakest fight iq 80
- Misha Cirkunovbest bjj 86 · weakest kickboxing 74
- Nikita Krylovbest cardio 86 · weakest wrestling 80
- Light Heavyweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Ryan Spann's strongest attribute, Boxing.
Draft Ryan Spann into your build
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Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Ryan Spann is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Ryan Spann's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.