Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Matt Erickson and Mike Bohn

Ryan Spann ready for respect that should come with UFC Tampa win over Devin Clark

TAMPA, Fla. – Ryan Spann beat Devin Clark with a first-round submission Saturday to close out the preliminary card at UFC on ESPN+ 19 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla.

Take a look inside the fight with Spann, who won for the seventh straight time.

Result: Ryan Spann def. Devin Clark via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 2:01
Updated records: Spann (17-5 MMA, 3-0 UFC), Clark (10-4 MMA, 4-4 UFC)
Key stat: Six of Spann’s seven straight wins have come by stoppage

Spann on the fight’s key moment

“I hope this win finally helps people realize I am a contender in this division. People are sleeping on me even after the (Antonio Rogerio) Nogueira fight, not giving him his respect after I went in there and beat him, so we wanted to take on a young guy like Devin Clark that would get me that respect with a win.”

Spann on the benefits of Fortis MMA

“I want to thank my strength and conditioning coach. I felt great in there – (I) didn’t get tired even after the wrestling. Usually I’d get tired and be huffing and puffing. It was like a dream. This is my first time living in Dallas. I’ve been with coach (Saud) Sayif forever, but I’ve only been able to train for five weeks at a time. So this time I felt great.”

Spann on what he wants next

“I’m trying to stay as active in 2020. This is my life and my job. I have a family to provide for and protect and I’ve been blessed to be able to use my body to do that. I’ve been training since I was a baby to do this. I want to go back to getting my first-round finishes because my momma worries when my fights go on too long.”

To hear more from Spann, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.