Going into UFC Singapore this weekend, light heavyweight Ryan Spann is entering what is essentially new territory.
For one, “Superman” Spann (21-8) is fighting outside the U.S. for the first time in years, having done so only twice before, in trips to Brazil. For another, he’s entering just his second rematch, first as a pro, against Anthony Smith and can’t really pinpoint where his mindset is at.
“It’s hard to say what the mentality is. I think this is my first rematch as a pro,” Spann explained during this week’s UFC Singapore media day. “I’ve only had one ever. Right now, I’m not even thinking about — the past is the past. I can’t do anything about that. It’s just the first fight for me.”
As for what weaknesses he’s seen in Smith, “it’s hard to say,” stated Spann. “Even from when we fought before and all that, honestly I didn’t watch too much of anything. Watched a couple things, and that was really about it. So it’s hard to say.”
“I just show up and be me and have fun, and the rest will come.”
Spann has finished the likes of Dominick Reyes and Ion Cutelaba in recent fights. That has him confident that he can hold his own against any opponent. “Absolutely, I feel like at my best I can hang with anyone, and at my worst, I feel like I can hang with anyone. So I’m just as good either way.” But it’s not the finish he’s concerned about this weekend. Rather, it’s just getting the job done. “With this one, I’m not focused with getting a finish, I’m focused on getting a win.”
As for fighting in Singapore, “the biggest thing is the time difference,” Spann noted, adding that his family back home is 13 hours behind him. “That’s been a big adjustment for me. Everything else is just Fight Week.” Spann also noted that before his arrival in Singapore, he didn’t know what jetlag was — but he definitely does now.
Watch the full UFC Singapore media day appearance by Ryan Spann above.
