Ryan Spann withstood a quick start from Misha Cirkunov at UFC Vegas 21, getting two knockdowns and winning the fight in just over a minute.
The new generation of light heavyweights had a chance to prove themselves in the UFC Vegas 21 co-main event. Former LFA champ Ryan Spann was looking to bounce back from a setback against Johnny Walker last year, while Misha Cirkunov was set to compete for the first time during the pandemic.
One man would get a decent bump up the 205lb rankings with a win.
Cirkunov started the fight with a head kick that was deflected and there was a quick exchange that followed. Spann was having trouble dealing with the speed of Cirkunov early on, then a kick below the belt paused the action. Spann used some of the allotted time he had to recover, then came out quickly with a right hand. Cirkunov went in for a combination, but a right hand from Spann sent him tumbling to the floor. Spann jumped on top and began firing away, but Cirkunov was able to survive and return to his feet. That did not last long, though, as Spann caught Cirkunov behind the ear and down he went. A few hammerfists were all that were needed and the referee stopped the fight.
SUPERMAN IS IN THE APEX TONIGHT 🤯@Superman_Spann ends it in minutes!
[ Main event next on #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/fMwCtMbFSy
— UFC (@ufc) March 14, 2021
Ryan Spann had a measured call-out after the victory, asking for the winner of Jimmy Crute vs. Anthony Smith. He added that he saw Cirkunov was the 10th-ranked fighter in the division in his eyes and wants another fight at that caliber.
Ryan Spann def. Misha Cirkunov by TKO (Punches) in Round 1 (1:11)
