LAS VEGAS – Ryan Spann knows more time will be required before his complete heavyweight transformation is complete, but he is excited to take the first step Saturday at UFC Fight Night 254.
After spending the entirety of his promotional tenure at light heavyweight, Spann (22-10 MMA, 8-5 UFC) opted to change divisions and move up. He makes his debut against Waldo Cortes-Acosta (12-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) at the UFC Apex (ESPN+).
According to Spann, he has bulked up methodically without losing too much speed or athleticism. That process will continue regardless of the result of his entry fight into the division.
“This is the new look, but this isn’t the final form of the new look,” Spann told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “We’re going to get better from here.
“Honestly, I train close to the weight that y’all are going to see Friday. I just spend a lot of that time cutting weight, so I didn’t get to do a lot of the stuff I should’ve been doing getting ready. Now we’re having fun and we’re in the gym.”
During his run at 205 pounds, Spann has wins over notables such as Ovince Saint Preux, Dominick Reyes, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and more. He earned a 95-second finish to claim Performance of the Night honors in his most recent appearance at UFC 307 in October.
With the removal of a weight cut, Spann thinks he will be even more free to fight in a style that suits him best. How that will work against bigger opponents remains to be seen, but Spann thinks he’s entering with the right mindset.
“(I just need to) have fun,” Spann said. “Trust the process. It’s going to come. I just have fun.”
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This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Ryan Spann says heavyweight debut at UFC Fight Night 254 ‘isn’t the final form’
