Cooper Albers previews Marcus Buchecha vs. Ryan Spann at UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal.
Saturday’s main card kicks off with a heavyweight clash, as Marcus Buchecha faces Ryan Spann at UFC Vegas 116 inside the Meta APEX.
Buchecha (5–2–1, 0–1–1 UFC) is still searching for his first UFC victory, coming off a draw with Kennedy Nzechukwu back in December. Spann (23–11, 9–6 UFC), a former longtime light heavyweight, is looking to build on his first win in the division — a first-round submission over Lukasz Brzeski last July.
Buchecha enters as a -135 moneyline favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Martinetti sits as a +114 underdog. The total is set at O/U 1.5 rounds.
Despite being one of the most decorated jiu-jitsu practitioners of all time, Marcus Buchecha has yet to translate his grappling dominance into the Octagon. The 6-foot-2 Brazilian, 36, who made his MMA debut in 2021 under ONE Championship, is winless across his first two UFC bouts. He dropped a unanimous decision to Martin Buday in his July 2025 debut before fighting to a draw with Kennedy Nzechukwu in December.
Buchecha arrived with a 100% career finish rate — including four submissions and a knockout — but has looked a step behind since joining the promotion. Originally slated to face Max Gimenis — who was knocked by Josh Hokit in under a minute in his own UFC debut in November — Buchecha now has his hands full with a far more seasoned veteran.
Ryan Spann has been a UFC mainstay since his debut in 2018, and he recently jumped up to heavyweight after a long run at 205 pounds. “Superman” has split his first two bouts in the division, suffering a knockout loss from surging contender Waldo Cortes-Acosta in March 2025 before rebounding with a first-round submission of Lukasz Brzeski later that year. He now steps in on short notice, eyeing a chance to crack the division’s wide-open top 15.
At 34, Spann remains a formidable stoppage artist, with 20 of his 23 professional wins coming inside the distance. The 6-foot-5 Memphis native pairs explosive striking with a strong submission game, boasting 14 career victories by tap-out — 11 of them from his signature guillotine.
It’s rare to see the younger, stronger, and more experienced fighter enter as the betting underdog — but that’s the case here. While Buchecha’s legendary BJJ reputation precedes him, it hasn’t translated inside the Octagon. Expect Spann to lean on his veteran savvy, towering frame, and thunderous power to pull off the upset victory.
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