Heavyweights Marcus Buchecha and Ryan Spann opened up the UFC Vegas 116 main card on Saturday.
Buchecha (properly Marcus Almeida) was a ONE Championship transplant and decorated BJJ star looking for his first UFC victory after dropping his promotional debut. Spann was 1-1 since arriving at heavyweight, moving up from 205lbs last year.
Early on, it was Buchecha on the outside, Spann moving forward, only for an eye poke to graze him early. Then it was Spann moving in and moving for a takedown, steamrolling Buchecha. The Brazilian chased a leg, eating a few hammerfists. Spann opted to stay on the ground with Buchecha, who soon escaped out and put on a bodylock. Buchecha landed a trip takedown of his own, which Spann answered via a guillotine that wasn’t close to in tight.
That left Marcus Buchecha with over three minutes to work. Spann however got up, and Buchecha slipped off his back when he tried to take it. Still two and a half minutes on the clock in round one, and this time, it was Spann on top when they hit the mat, though Buchecha threatened to reverse.
Finally, wisely, Ryan Spann backed off, forcing Buchecha back to his feet. Spann fired a front kick to the body. Buchecha punched his way in, changed levels, but couldn’t land a clean takedown, instead chasing a leg lock. Moments later, it was Buchecha on his back after Spann defended a takedown. Spann dropped an elbow, fired a knee to the body, and rode out the round in control.
Round two saw Spann fire a leg kick early, but Buchecha then made contact with his fingers extended, earning a hard warning. Moments later, Buchecha earned another warning for having his fingers extended even though no contact was made. In response, fist closed, Buchecha fired an overhand punch, backed Spann to the fence, and worked on a takedown. Spann, as he had in round one, defended with a guillotine, leading Buchecha to go to his back. A moment later and they were back on the feet.
Moments later, Ryan Spann decided enough was enough, and ended the fight. A two-punch knockout arrived in the care of a left hook and straight right, and Buchecha fell like the mighty oak. No follow-up required.
Perhaps not as good as the last couple of heavyweight fights, but a thrilling finish and great win for Spann, who has now won two straight.
Official Result: Ryan Spann def. Marcus Buchecha by knockout, Round 2, 2:10
