The Stats Zone
March 14 2025, 14:39 · Rob Esteva

Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs Ryan Spann at UFC Fight Night 254 | Preview & Prediction

Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs Ryan Spann at UFC Fight Night 254 | Preview & Prediction

Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!

It would not be a UFC card without a heavyweight fight and the matchmakers will be hoping for fireworks as Waldo Cortes-Acosta takes on Ryan Spann

Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs Ryan Spann Facts

When is UFC Fight Night 254? UK – the preliminary card starts at 9:00pm on Saturday 15th March 2025, followed by the main card at 12:00am (Sunday) / USA – 4:00pm/7:00pm ET (Saturday) and 1:00pm/4:00pm PT (Saturday)

Where is UFC Fight Night 254? UFC Apex, Las Vegas, USA

Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 254? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 254

What TV channel is UFC Fight Night 254 on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+

Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 254? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass

For viewers in the United States, UFC Fight Night 254 will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!

What time are Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Ryan Spann expected to walk out? 10:40pm UK / 6:40pm US ET / 3:40pm US PT

UFC Fight Night 254 Main Card

Marvin Vettori vs Roman Dolidze (Middleweight)

Chidi Njokuani vs Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (Welterweight)

Choi Seung-woo vs Kevin Vallejos (Featherweight)

Alexander Hernandez vs Kurt Holobaugh (Lightweight)

Da'Mon Blackshear vs Cody Gibson (Bantamweight)

You Su-young vs AJ Cunningham (Bantamweight)

UFC Fight Night 254 Prelims

Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs Ryan Spann (Heavyweight)

Stephanie Luciano vs Sam Hughes (Women’s Strawweight)

Diyar Nurgozhay vs Brendson Ribeiro (Light Heavyweight)

Carlos Vera vs Josias Musasa (Bantamweight)

Daniel Barez vs Andre Lima (Flyweight)

Josiane Nunes vs Priscila Cachoeira (Women’s Bantamweight)

Yuneisy Duben vs Carli Judice (Women’s Flyweight)

Waldo Cortes-Acosta: Salsa Boy aiming to make it four wins in a row

Waldo Cortes-Acosta (12-1) has won five of his six fights since joining the UFC including his last three so he will be full of confidence coming into UFC Fight Night 254. Five of his twelve wins have come by knockouts but he has had more success on the judges’ scorecards during his time with the UFC. His last two fights have been unanimous decision wins over legend Andrei Arlovski and Robelis Despaigne as his dominant wrestling continues to be the key to his success.

Ryan Spann: Vet hoping to follow up Performance of the Night display

Ryan Spann (22-10) pulled off a vital submission win at UFC 307 against Ovince Saint Preux to help the 32-fight veteran stay alive and relevant in the heavyweight division. He had lost his three previous fights albeit against quality opponents and was under some pressure to snap that negative streak. He did so in style picking up a performance of the night bonus as he stopped the experienced Saint Preux.

Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs Ryan Spann Prediction

This is a really interesting bout in the UFC's heavyweight division that the matchmakers have put together and this one is more likely to be a tactical than explosive fight.

Cortes-Acosta has some really impressive wrestling but Spann possesses an impressive ground-game and set of submissions himself.

That may encourage Cortes-Acosta to keep the fight standing where he likely possesses an edge in his boxing.

Spann is as savvy as they come in the heavyweight division but we think Cortes-Acosta just has too much all-round and Dominican Republic fighter should get sixth win in seven UFC fights.

Prediction: Waldo Cortes-Acosta to win