Saturday night at UFC Fight Night 254 turned into a rude awakening for Ryan Spann, who stepped into the heavyweight division only to get flattened by Waldo Cortes-Acosta in the featured prelim at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Cortes-Acosta (13-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) put on a clinic, finishing Spann (22-11 MMA, 8-6 UFC) with a barrage of punches at 4:48 of Round 2, proving once again why he’s a rising force in the UFC’s big-man ranks.

This wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. Cortes-Acosta, nicknamed “Salsa Boy” for his playful in-cage antics, showed he’s got serious firepower to match his flair. Facing Spann, a seasoned light heavyweight making his heavyweight debut, Cortes-Acosta turned what could’ve been a tricky test into a highlight-reel beatdown. Early in the fight, Spann tried to impose himself with low kicks and even rocked Cortes-Acosta briefly in Round 1, but the Dominican powerhouse weathered the storm. By Round 2, it was all Waldo. He started landing crisp jabs and heavy rights, wearing Spann down before dropping him with a thunderous shot late in the round. A flurry of hammerfists followed, and referee Mark Smith had seen enough, waving it off just before the five-minute mark.

What makes this win stand out is the context. Spann, coming off a submission victory over Ovince Saint Preux that snapped a three-fight skid, was looking to reinvent himself at heavyweight. At 33, with his athleticism and finishing instincts, it wasn’t a bad gamble—on paper. But Cortes-Acosta, riding a three-fight win streak into this one, had other plans. His power was relentless, and Spann, despite his toughness, couldn’t handle the sheer force of a dialed-in heavyweight. Post-fight, Cortes-Acosta called out Derrick Lewis and Tai Tuivasa, signaling he’s ready to climb the ranks and chase gold in 2026. With this TKO, he’s now won four straight, adding Spann’s name to a hit list that already includes Andrei Arlovski and Robelis Despaigne. Meanwhile, Spann’s 1-4 record over his last five fights paints a grim picture as he figures out his next move.

UFC Fight Night 254: The Rest of the Action

The night wasn’t just about Cortes-Acosta’s dominance. Here’s how the rest of the prelims shook out at UFC Fight Night 254:

  • SuYoung You def. AJ Cunningham via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – A clean sweep for You, who outworked Cunningham over three rounds.
  • Carlos Vera def. Josias Musasa via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:16 – Vera wasted no time, choking out Musasa in a slick first-round finish.
  • Sam Hughes def. Stephanie Luciano via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-27) – A razor-close battle that had the judges split, but Hughes edged it out.
  • Andre Lima def. Daniel Barez via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 3:05 – Lima capped a gritty fight with a late choke to seal the deal.
  • Priscila Cachoeira def. Josiane Nunes via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 2:46 – Cachoeira dropped Nunes with a single, devastating punch—blink and you missed it.
  • Carli Judice def. Yuneisy Duben via TKO (head kick, punches) – Round 1, 1:40 – Judice unleashed a brutal head kick and followed up with punches for a lightning-fast stoppage.

Cortes-Acosta’s demolition of Spann stole the show on the prelims, but the card delivered a mix of finishes and nail-biters. With his stock rising, the heavyweight division better keep an eye on Waldo—he’s not here to dance around anymore; he’s here to break faces and chase that belt.