Tag: Ryan Spann

UFC Fight Night 254 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Marvin Vettori among highest earners

The UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program has now paid nearly $33 million to athletes since its deal began with Venum.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 254 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $173,000.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC Fight Night 254 took place at the UFC Apex. The entire card streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC Fight Night 254 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Roman Dolidze[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Marvin Vettori[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Chidi Njokuani[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Alexander Hernandez[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Kurt Holobaugh[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Da’Mon Blackshear[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Cody Gibson[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Brendson Ribeiro[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Diyar Nurgozhay[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Kevin Vallejos[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]SeungWoo Choi[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Waldo Cortes-Acosta[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]SuYoung You[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]AJ Cunningham[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Carlos Vera[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Josias Musasa[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Sam Hughes[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Stephanie Luciano[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Andre Lima[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Daniel Barez[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Priscila Cachoeira[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Josiane Nunes[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Carli Judice[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Yuneisy Duben[/autotag]: $4,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2541 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2025 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $1,745,500
2024 total: $8,280,500
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $32,763,000

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 254.

UFC Fight Night 254 live updates: Results, round-by-round coverage of every fight

Check out live round-by-round updates and official results from UFC Fight Night 254 in Las Vegas.

UFC Fight Night 254 took place Saturday, MMA Junkie provided live round-by-round coverage and official results beginning throughout the event. UFC Fight Night 254 (ESPN+) took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Former middleweight title challenger Marvin Vettori (19-8-1 MMA, 9-6-1 UFC) took on Roman Dolidze (15-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) in a main event rematch. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (25-9-1 MMA, 11-5-1 UFC) and Chidi Njokuani (25-10 MMA, 5-3 UFC) fought in the welterweight co-feature.

Check out our round-by-round updates and official results below.

Enjoy the fights, everyone.

UFC Fight Night 254 lineup

MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET)

  • Roman Dolidze def. Marvin Vettori via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
  • Chidi Njokuani def. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos via TKO (knee and punches) – Round 2, 2:19
  • Alexander Hernandez def. Kurt Holobaugh via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Da’Mon Blackshear def. Cody Gibson via submission (kimhra) – Round 2, 4:09
  • Brendson Ribeiro def. Diyar Nurgozhay via submission (kimura) – Round 2, 1:28
  • Kevin Vallejos def. SeungWoo Choi via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:09

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 4 p.m. ET)

  • Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Ryan Spann via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:48
  • SuYoung You def. AJ Cunningham via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Carlos Vera def. Josias Musasa via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:16
  • Sam Hughes def. Stephanie Luciano via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-27)
  • Andre Lima def. Daniel Barez via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 3:05
  • Priscila Cachoeira def. Josiane Nunes via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 2:46
  • Carli Judice def. Yuneisy Duben via TKO (head kick) – Round 1, 1:40

Marvin Vettori vs. Roman Dolidze

Round 1 – Dolidze takes the center and comes forward with big offerings early, although none of the punches landed. Vettori fires back, but was just out of range. As kicks are added to the mix, the exchanges heat up. An accidental clash of heads pauses the fight momentarily. On the restart, Dolidze gets back to leading the offense, landing a nice left hand. Vettori kicks to the body. Both dart in with punching combinations as they take turns striking. Dolidze checks a couple of kicks and then attempts a spinning elbow. One minute to go. Vettori lands a nice counter right as Dolidze charges ahead.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Vettori.

Round 2 – Dolidze goes inside with a leg kick and Vettori responds with an outside leg kick. Vettori is on the forward charge with punches, but gets poked in the eye. Between rounds, referee Herb Dean warned Dolidze about the eye pokes, but when it happens a few moments later, he gives another warning. No point is taken. The fight continues, and they get back to trading punches. The exchanges remain fairly even as they strike in the center of the cage. Vettori lands nicely in a combination. Dolidze answers with a punch. They keep going at it right to the horn.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Dolidze.

Round 3 – Picking up right where they left off, the striking exchanges remain frequent early in the round. Vettori rocks Dolidze! He’s stumbling around, trying to keep his footing while avoiding Vettori. Dolize is able to gather himself and they reset to the center. Vettori’s output slows as Dolidze appears fully recovered from the early scare. Checking kicks and landing his own offense, Dolidze is coming on in the second half of the round. In the final seconds of the round, Dolidze closes in for the clinch.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Vettori.

Round 4 – Dolidze lands a combo to start the round. Vettori answers with a left hook. They both come forward, but it’s Dolidze with a knee up the middle, opening a cut. Another punch gets through for Dolidze, and it feels like the momentum is on his side. The action slows to one shot at at time, but Dolidze changes that with a nice combination of punches that forces Vettori to cover up along the fence. Dolidze adds a spinning attack to his output. A front kick followed by a right hand now for Dolidze. Vettori opens up for an exchange, but Dolidze gets the better of it.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Dolidze.

Round 5 – With the fight potentially hanging in the balance on the scorecards, both come out swinging. Dolidze lands a nice right hand after the initial flurry of offense from both. Dolidze cracks with a kick. They exchange punches in the center with both getting clean punches through. Vettori lands a nice left hand. Dolidze kicks to the body, but it lands low to pause the fight. It’s a short pause in the action. Back to it, Dolidze lands a left hand followed by a right head kick. A knee up the middle is not far behind it. Another right kick for Dolidze. Vettori complains about an eye poke, but keeps fighting. Dolidze offers another head kick. And another. The output from Dolidze is significantly higher than Vettori to close out the fight.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Dolidze, giving him the fight 48-47.

Result: Roman Dolidze def. Marvin Vettori via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
Recap: UFC Fight Night 254 results: Roman Dolidze avenges loss to Marvin Vettori
Social media reaction: ‘Dolidze vs. Adesanya?’: Fighters react to Roman Dolidze’s victory over Marvin Vettori at UFC Fight Night 254
Photos: UFC Fight Night 254: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Vettori (19-8-1 MMA, 9-6-1 UFC), Dolidze (15-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging: Mike Bell, Derek Cleary, Sal D’Amato

Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos vs. Chidi Njokuani

Round 1 – They touch ’em up and begin the feel-out process. Njokuani finds the range with opening front kicks. After mixing it up with a high kick, Njokuani’s offering goes low as dos Santos throws a kick at the same time. The fight pauses briefly due to the foul. On the restart, they get back to trading kicks, but dos Santos clips Njokuani! He’s rocked, but still with it to defend the follow-up attacks. A moment later, dos Santos charges across the cage for a takedown attempt. He ends up with standing back control as Njokuani keeps things on the feet. Njokuani gets his back to the fence, leading to the separation. Njokuani gets back to his snappy kicks to close out the round.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for dos Santos.

Round 2 – Njokuani comes out with forward pressure and more kicks to the legs and the body. An eye poke from Njokuani pauses the fight briefly. Njokuani gets back to his kicks, mixing them to the legs, body, and head. BANG! Njokuani lands a nasty knee in the Thai clinch that sends dos Santos crashing to the canvas! Njokuani rushes in for the finsh and gets the TKO stoppage!

Result: Chidi Njokuani def. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos via TKO (knee and punches) – Round 2, 2:19
Recap: UFC Fight Night 254 video: Chidi Njokuani blasts Elizeu Zaleski Dos Santos with clinch knee en route to finish
Photos: UFC Fight Night 254: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Zaleski dos Santos (25-9-1 MMA, 11-5-1 UFC), Njokuani (25-10 MMA, 5-3 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith

Alexander Hernandez vs. Kurt Holobaugh

Round 1 – They touch ’em up and Hernandez opens with a front kick to the body. They exchange leg kicks and keep the pace high early as punches fly. Hernandez is aggressive here, but also defensively sound as he darts out of range before Holobaugh can respond. Midway through the round now and the exchanges continue with Holobaugh adding a punch to the body. Hernandez puts togehter a nice combination of punches. Holobaugh answers with a hard right hand. Another punch causes Hernandez to hit the canvas, although it appeared to be more likely due to balance thing than damage. Hernandez gets right back into the heat of it, and looks for a takedown. Holobaugh slaps on a guillotine with a tight squeeze to counter. Hernandez gets his head free right before the horn.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Holobaugh.

Round 2 – Holobaugh comes out aggressively with punches. Hernandez circles on the outside, firing punches in too, but Holobaugh’s offerings land with more impact. The body shots from Holobaugh continue to score. Hernandez appears more cautious now. Another right hand from Holobaugh lands flush. Holobaugh keeps bringing the fight to Hernandez. The change in momentum Hernandez needed comes in a clean takedown in the center of the cage. Holobaugh throws up an armbar attempt, but ends up eating a few punches from the top. Holobaugh regains full guard and offers a few elbows from his back, but Hernandez maintains top control until the horn.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Holobaugh.

Round 3 – Hernandez goes for a takedown right away, landing in side control. Holobaugh looks to scramble up, but Hernandez floats well as he looks for submissions and ground and pound opportunities. Holobaugh does well to keep Hernandez neutralized from the top, and eventually scrambles to his feet with two minutes left. Holobaugh immediately unleashes his offense, but Hernandez finds another takedown a few seconds later. Hernandez goes for an arm triangle, but it’s not there. Holobaugh threatens a kimura from his back. Hernandez gets his arm free and rains down punches until the horn.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Hernandez, but the fight goes to Holobaugh, 29-28.

Result: Alexander Hernandez def. Kurt Holobaugh via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: UFC Fight Night 254: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Hernandez (16-8 MMA, 8-7 UFC), Holobaugh (22-9 MMA, 2-6 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Kerry Hatley
Judging: Mike Bell (29-28), Eric Colon (29-28), Bryan Miner (29-28)

Da’Mon Blackshear vs. Cody Gibson

Round 1 – No glove touch. Gibson looks for an overhand right to start. Blackshear looks to answer with a combo of punches. Gibson circles and rips a combo of his own, landing better, and finishing with a takedown attempt. Blackshear keeps things standing. On the exit, Gibson unloads punches, forcing Blackshear to cover up. Gibson is hunting for another takedown, but Blackshear isn’t having it and they separate. Gibson continues to fire strikes first. They take each other off their feet with simultaneous leg kicks. They pop up, and a moment later Gibson gets his first takedown. Blackshear threatens a guillotine choke to counter. He puts enough squeeze on it to force Gibson to put his back on the canvas to escape. Gibson throws up an inverted triangle, but it’s not there for him. Blackshear goes for a north/south choke, but can’t get it.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Gibson.

Round 2 – Gibson keeps up the activity, but Blackshear appears more eager to exchange than he was to start the first round. Gibson finds his way into a takedown attempt to bring the fight to the mat. Blackshear finds a reversal and ends up on top in side control. Blackshear hunts for a kimura, but Gibson keeps his hands locked. Blackshear grinds his right elbow on Gibson’s face and then digs with the left to the body. Blackshear isolates the kimura again. With Gibson now on his side, he pulls the arm free and cranks on it. There’s the tap!

Result: Da’Mon Blackshear def. Cody Gibson via submission (kimhra) – Round 2, 4:09
Recap: UFC Fight Night 254 video: Da’Mon Blackshear breaks down Cody Gibson for submission
Photos: UFC Fight Night 254: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Blackshear (16-7-1 MMA, 4-3-1 UFC), Gibson (22-11 MMA, 3-6 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni

Diyar Nurgozhay vs. Brendson Ribeiro

Round 1 – No glove touch here. Ribeiro opens with a couple of leg kicks. Nurgozhay goes to the body with a kick. Ribeiro kicks high and then to the body. They trade punches. Nurgozhay slowly begins pressing forward as Ribeiro offers single strikes at a time. A kick to the body from Ribeiro prompts a 1-2 from Nurgozhay. They exchange low kicks. Out of nowhere, Riberio floors Nurgozhay with a 1-2! Riberio stays patient as Nurgozhay is still with it, and gets back to his feet. Ribeiro stays aggressive though, and puts together another strong combination in the closing seconds.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Ribeiro.

Round 2 – Ribeiro keeps up the steady volume early in Round 2. Nurgozhay switches things up with a takedown, ending up on the back as Ribeiro attempts to scramble to his feet. Ribeiro sneaks in a kimura to defend, but actually starts to crank on it. Nurgozhay attempts to roll over to counter, but Ribeiro keeps it. He’s on top and cranking it now! There’s the tap! Slick finish for Ribeiro!

Result: Brendson Ribeiro def. Diyar Nurgozhay via submission (kimura) – Round 2, 1:28
Recap: UFC Fight Night 254 video: Brendson Ribeiro rolls Diyar Nurgozhay with slick kimura
Photos: UFC Fight Night 254: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Nurgozhay (10-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Ribeiro (17-7 MMA, 2-2 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean

SeungWoo Choi vs. Kevin Vallejos

Round 1 – They touch gloves to begin, and Vallejos takes control of the center. Choi offers an early variety of kicking techniques. Vallejos kicks to the legs, then darts in with a big right hand, but misses the target. They reset and Vallejos continues to pressure forward from the center. Choi keeps kicking to the body and the legs. They trade punches, with Vallejos just missing with a big swing. It’s like he’s seeing it, but not quite connecting. Vallejos dips under a right hand from Choi and drops him with a counter right! Vallejos swarms for the finishing follow-up punches and the referee comes in to call the fight! Beautiful finish by Vallejos!

Result: Kevin Vallejos def. SeungWoo Choi via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:09
Recap: UFC Fight Night 254 video: Top prospect Kevin Vallejos TKOs SeungWoo Choi in debut
Photos: UFC Fight Night 254: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Choi (11-8 MMA, 4-7 UFC), Vallejos (15-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Kerry Hatley

Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Ryan Spann

Round 1 – They touch gloves and size each other up. An early warning from the ref to both for extending their fingers. Spann gets things going with kicks to the leg and body. Cortes-Acosta darts in with a punch, but Spann isn’t there. Cortes-Acosta offers a leg kick but eats a big counter punch from Spann. An accidental clash of heads prompts a short pause in the fight. On the restart, Cortes-Acosta rocks Spann with a punch. Spann avoids follow-up shots to gather himself. They return to the center and both sit on powerful punches, looking to close the show, but neither connect. A kick from Spann is partially caught, and Cortes-Acosta takes him off balance with a punch. They reset and exchange again. Spann gets clipped again. Each punch feels like the fight could end. Cortes-Acosta peppers Spann with a few jabs, leading to a takedown. Spann kicks Cortes-Acosta away to prevent ground and pound.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Cortes-Acosta.

Round 2 – Spann comes out firing a jab, but Cortes-Acosta answers with one of his own. A kick to the body is there for Spann. A punch from Cortes-Acosta intended for the midsection lands to the junk, pausing the fight. On the restart, Spann works behind a left jab. Cortes-Acosta punches with a left, but Spann believes he was poked in the eye. The ref grants the pause, but quickly resumes action after the replay. They get back into it, but Spann backs away after Cortes-Acosta has his fingers extended. The refree warns him again, but they keep fighting. Spann punches as Cortes-Acosta comes in with a kick. The kick lands low, causing another pause. The referee asks the interpreter to communicate Cortes-Acosta to fight clean. The fight resumes again without a point deduction. Spann lands a leg kick. Cortes-Acosta darts in with a right. The output from both slows a bit. With just over a minute, they pick it up again, and it’s Cortes-Acosta landing cleanly. Spann is in trouble here as he attempts to escape. A left hook sits him down. Cortes-Acosta rushes in with devastating ground and pound to put Spann out for the finish.

Result: Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Ryan Spann via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:48
Recap: UFC Fight Night 254 video: Waldo Cortes-Acosta pounds out Ryan Spann with punches
Photos: UFC Fight Night 254: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Cortes-Acosta (13-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC), Spann (22-11 MMA, 8-6 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith

AJ Cunningham vs. SuYoung You

Round 1 – They touch ’em up and we see the most patient start to a fight yet as they feel out the range. You steps in with a kick but gets countered quickly with a 1-2. You lands an overhand right and escapes out of range before Cunningham counters. A moment later though, Cunningham lands. You lands a clean right hand that stumbles Cunningham. You with a pair of kicks to the body. A takedown is there for You. Cunningham tries to escape and gets back to his feet for a second before You brings him down again, landing in full mount. Cunningham quickly gets out of that position, but gives up his back a moment later. The round ends in a standing clinch with You on the back.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for You.

Round 2 – You lands a nice leg kick as Cunningham appears somewhat hesitant to let his strikes go. Cunningham keeps the forward pressure on as his corner calls for him to get going. You lands a big punch but Cunningham eats it. You feels the breeze as he ducks under a spinning kick. You looks for a takedown, but gets shoved off. Cunningham then rips a quick pair of punches. You gets a takedown a moment later, though. Cunningham throws up a triangle, and it’s tight. You calmly defends and gives a finger wag when the referee checks closer. You escapes and racks up more top control with a few punches before the horn.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for You.

Round 3 – Cunningham pressures as he controls the center. His punches can’t find You, though. You changes levels for a clean takedown and quickly takes full mount with three minutes to go. Heavy top control here from You. He looks for the arm triangle choke. The squeeze is tight, but Cunningham gets free. You stays heavy up top as the clock runs out on Cunningham. With about 20 seconds remaining, Cunningham nearly gets up, but You dragged him back down until the final horn.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for You, giving him the fight 30-27.

Result: SuYoung You def. AJ Cunningham via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: UFC Fight Night 254: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Cunningham (11-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC), You (15-3 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Judging: Eric Colon, Chris Leben, Tony Weeks

Josias Musasa vs. Carlos Vera

Round 1 – They come out trading leg kicks to start. Vera looks to take the fight to the ground, pulling guard, but Musasa isn’t having it and waves him back up. Vera unleashes a spinning kick to the head! Musasa just eats it on the chin, catches Vera’s leg, and pushes him to the ground. Once again, he calls Vera to gett back up. They resume trading strikes, both bouncing around lightly. Out of nowhere, Vera floors Musasa with a head kick! Vera pounces on Musasa on the ground, takes the back and slaps on the rear-naked choke for the tap! What a finishing sequence!

Result: Carlos Vera def. Josias Musasa via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:16
Recap: UFC Fight Night 254 video: Carlos Vera stuns heavy favorite Josias Musasa with wild finish
Photos: UFC Fight Night 254: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Musasa (8-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Vera (12-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean

Sam Hughes vs. Stephanie Luciano

Round 1 – They touch ’em up and get right into it. They’re immediately trading strikes as they cover a lot of ground in the cage. Hughes gets the better of the opening moments, cracing Luciano with a big punch. Luciano’s kicks are able to slow Hughes down, though. Hughes catches one of those kicks, and lifts the leg above her head to push Luciano to the ground. They quickly get back to their feet, but Hughes sticks with the clinch. Luciano is able to get away, but Hughes stays in her range with forward pressure. Hughes gets a takedown, but Luciano quickly gets up. They work out of the clinch quickly too. Hughes keeps coming forward. Luciano lands a nice kick to the body. A left hand and an uppercut is there for her as well. Hughes lands an overhand right. Luciano gets the better of the closing exchanges.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Hughes.

Round 2 – Hughes gets back to her forward pressure, but Luciano lands the cleaner strikes. Luciano is mixing up her strikes well, punches to the head and body, with her kicks targeting different areas too. Regardless, Hughes stays in range and finds her spot for a takedown. This time, Hughes keeps Luciano down and takes full mount. Luciano turns and gives up her back as Hughes punches from the top. Hughes slaps on a rear-naked choke. Luciano fights the hands well and eventually gets her back to the canvas to escape the choke. Hughes, still in full mount, drops in a few nice short elbows. Luciano turns and gives up her back again with a minute to go. Hughes punches, but Luciano turns again and gets to half guard. Hughes gets a crucifix and rains down hard elbows until the horn.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Hughes.

Round 3 – After an opening exchange, Hughes shoots in for a quick takedown. Luciano defends it well and reverses the position. They separate, returning to the center to trade punches. They clinch up, but nothing comes of it. Back in the center now, Luciano turns up her volume as Hughes’ forward pressure subsides. Hughes charges forward to clinch, but Luciano reverses the position before separating. Just over a minute to go. Luciano’s output continues to be higher. Hughes shoots in but is denied. Luciano continues to offer punches. Hughes lands a nice leg kick. They go for it in the final few seconds before the horn.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Luciano, but the fight goes to Hughes, 29-28.

Result: Sam Hughes def. Stephanie Luciano via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-27)
Photos: UFC Fight Night 254: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Hughes (10-6 MMA, 5-5 UFC), Luciano (6-2-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Mike Bell (29-28), Derek Cleary (29-27), Sal D’Amato (28-29)

Daniel Barez vs. Andre Lima

Round 1 – They come out exchanging hard leg kicks. A few punches upstairs are traded, but Lima goes right back to chopping at the lead leg of Barez. Lima snaps out a left jab. Lima steps in with a powerful right hand that rocks Barez. The hunt is on now as Barez backs away and gets on his bike to prevent Lima from landing again. Lima keeps chasing around the cage but can’t land. Barez gets the clinch and tries to take the back, but Lima gets him off. Back in the center, they’re exchanging punches with Barez connecting well. Lima quickly answers after a combination. Blood is now trickling from Barez’s nose. Lima digs in some hard punches to the body. There’s another chopping leg kick. Now it’s the jab. Lima’s playing target practice now. But halting the momentum is an accidental poke. After a brief pause, the final seconds of the round conclude in the clinch.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Lima.

Round 2 – Lima gets right back to striking with more hard leg kicks. Barez looks to answer with punches and a takedown, but it’s stuffed easily. Lima continues to chop with leg kicks. Barez stumbles. Now he’s checking the kick, but that opens up punches upstairs for Lima. The left jab and the right leg kick continue to score. Add a hard body shot to the mix. Lima is pouring it on as he stalks Barez. Now it’s short elbows. Lima is teeing off now! The referee steps in for a closer look. As Lima looks to the ref for the stoppage, Barez lands a punch. Lima opts for a takedown and looks for ground and pound. Barez keeps him in tight to prevent damage and to make it to the next round.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-8 for Lima.

Round 3 – Lima gets right back to the leg kicks. Barez tries for an early takedown, but gets reversed. Lima is on top in full guard. Barez does well again to prevent damage from his back. Lima stands up, but decides to enter the guard again. Barez tries to explode back to his feet, but gives up his back. Midway through the round now, Lima hunts for the rear-naked choke. He gets the arm under the chin and puts on the squeeze! There’s the tap!

Result: Andre Lima def. Daniel Barez via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 3:05
Recap: UFC Fight Night 254 video: Andre Lima dominates, finishes Daniel Barez
Photos: UFC Fight Night 254: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Barez (17-7 MMA, 1-2 UFC), Lima (11-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Karry Hatley

Priscila Cachoeira vs. Josiane Nunes

Round 1 – They get right into it, slinging punches. Cachoeira appears sharper here early. She’s repeatedly landing the right hand while Nunes stays in the pocket, eating them and trying to keep her guard tight. Nunes tries to answer, but Cachoeira slides out of range. Now Nunes connects with a couple of punches to keep Cachoeira honest. The pace remains steady as they trade punches. Nunes lands a nice overhand left, but then Cachoeira offers a few more punches straight down the pipe. Nunes keeps coming forward with punches. BOOM! Cachoeira puts Nunes out cold with a filthy right uppercut for the walkoff knockout!

Result: Priscila Cachoeira def. Josiane Nunes via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 2:46
Recap: UFC Fight Night 254 video: Priscila Cachoeira’s uppercut puts Josiane Nunes out cold
Photos: UFC Fight Night 254: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Cachoeira (13-6 MMA, 5-6 UFC), Nunes (10-4 MMA, 3-3 UFC)
Division: Women’s bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni

Yuneisy Duben vs. Carli Judice

Round 1 – They touch ’em up and get right into the opening striking exchanges. Judice lands a quiestion mark kick, but Duben fires back a series of punches. Judice stays on the attack. Duben’s counters are landing well, but Judice keeps coming forward, backing Duben into the cage and tagging her with punches. Duben stumbles, but circles away. Judice stays with her and BANG! A left head kick floors Duben! The follow up punches land and the referee rushes in to stop the fight! Woah!

Result: Carli Judice def. Yuneisy Duben via TKO (head kick) – Round 1, 1:40
Recap: UFC Fight Night 254 video: Carli Judice smokes Yuneisy Duben with head kick and punches
Photos: UFC Fight Night 254: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Duben (6-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Judice (4-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 254.

UFC Fight Night 254 video: Waldo Cortes-Acosta pounds out Ryan Spann with punches

In the UFC Fight Night 254 featured prelim, Waldo Cortes-Acosta finished Ryan Spann with punches in Round 2.

[autotag]Waldo Cortes-Acosta[/autotag] welcomed [autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag] to the UFC heavyweight division in rude fashion Saturday.

In the UFC Fight Night 254 featured prelim at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Cortes-Acosta (13-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) finished Spann (22-11 MMA, 8-6 UFC) with punches at 4:48 of Round 2

Cortes-Acosta extends his winning streak to four. Other notable UFC wins include Andrei Arlovski and Robelis Despaigne. Spann falls to 1-4 in his most recent five. Saturday’s bout was his first in the UFC heavyweight division.

Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 254 results include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 254.

Waldo Cortes-Acosta promises to ‘stop being an idiot’ ahead of UFC Vegas 104 fight

Waldo Cortes-Acosta wants to taunt less and show a more serious version fighting Ryan Spann on Saturday.

If you’re expecting dancing and taunting from [autotag]Waldo Cortes-Acosta[/autotag] this Saturday at UFC Fight Night 255, you’re in for a surprise.

The rising UFC heavyweight contender promises a new version of himself, one that has left aside the antics. Cortes-Acosta (12-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) has set himself apart in the heavyweight division for some of the in-cage stunts that come with his fighting.

But facing [autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag] this Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Cortes-Acosta is out to get his hand raised while showing a more serious version.

“I need to stop messing around, wanting to dance, and go for my objective, which is to become UFC world champion,” Cortes-Acosta told Hablemos MMA in Spanish. “It’s time for me to get serious and go after what I want.”

This could mean a more dangerous Cortes-Acosta. He’s more focused on making a statement and logging in big wins than putting on a show.

“I’m going to make the other person dance salsa in the cage while I get serious in my business,” Cortes-Acosta explained. “I’m going to stop being an idiot up there. I’m going in there to fight. You can expect a much more serious version of me.”

Now in the UFC official heavyweight rankings, Cortes-Acosta says this big shift in mentality came as a result of wanting to be considered a legit title threat rather than being a showman.

“I have six kids, and I have to prioritize their well being and mine so they can be good,” Cortes-Acosta said. “I can’t be relaxed. I need to go for what’s mine, which is being world champion.”

As far as the fight with Spann (22-10 MMA, 8-5 UFC), he’ll be making his UFC heavyweight debut against Cortes-Acosta. Cortes-Acosta expects a tough fight, but he’s determined to make a big statement out of him.

“I have to give him his welcome to the heavyweight division,” Cortes-Acosta said. “I hope he gives his best because I’m coming out to give my best. It’s going to be a war. You know how Ryan Spann fights. He hits hard and fast and so do I. I don’t back down. Let it be God’s will. But from my part, I’m going in there to break him quickly.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 255.

Ryan Spann says heavyweight debut at UFC Fight Night 254 ‘isn’t the final form’

Ryan Spann’s slogan is to “trust the process” going into his heavyweight debut at UFC Vegas 104.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag] knows more time will be required before his complete heavyweight transformation is complete, but he is excited to take the first step Saturday at UFC Fight Night 254.

After spending the entirety of his promotional tenure at light heavyweight, Spann (22-10 MMA, 8-5 UFC) opted to change divisions and move up. He makes his debut against Waldo Cortes-Acosta (12-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) at the UFC Apex (ESPN+).

According to Spann, he has bulked up methodically without losing too much speed or athleticism. That process will continue regardless of the result of his entry fight into the division.

“This is the new look, but this isn’t the final form of the new look,” Spann told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “We’re going to get better from here.

“Honestly, I train close to the weight that y’all are going to see Friday. I just spend a lot of that time cutting weight, so I didn’t get to do a lot of the stuff I should’ve been doing getting ready. Now we’re having fun and we’re in the gym.”

During his run at 205 pounds, Spann has wins over notables such as Ovince Saint Preux, Dominick Reyes, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and more. He earned a 95-second finish to claim Performance of the Night honors in his most recent appearance at UFC 307 in October.

With the removal of a weight cut, Spann thinks he will be even more free to fight in a style that suits him best. How that will work against bigger opponents remains to be seen, but Spann thinks he’s entering with the right mindset.

“(I just need to) have fun,” Spann said. “Trust the process. It’s going to come. I just have fun.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 254.

Sayif Saud getting ‘ahead of the curve’ with Kennedy Nzechukwu, Ryan Spann heavyweight moves

Fortis MMA’s Sayif Saud predicts a trend of light heavyweight fighters moving to heavyweight, and he has two fighters ahead of the game.

Fortis MMA head coach [autotag]Sayif Saud[/autotag] sees a trend coming with light heavyweights and has two examples of high-level fighters under his wing leading the way.

[autotag]Kennedy Nzechukwu[/autotag] and [autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag] started their UFC careers in the light heavyweight division and have now made a move to heavyweight. Nzechukwu (14-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) has already fought twice in his new division.

After dropping two straight at light heavyweight, Nzechukwu moved up in October and made quick work of Chris Barnett at UFC 308. He then turned around and recorded another first-round finish of Lukas Brzeski at UFC 310 in December, which earned a Performance of the Night bonus.

According to Saud, the move has produced a much happier fighter.

“He told me, ‘Coach, I got to go to heavyweight, man. I don’t want to cut the weight. … It makes me miserable,'” Saud told MMA Junkie. “The guy doesn’t complain. He’s had a hard road in life. He hasn’t had an easy set of cards, man. He never complains, but he said it, and I said alright. We went to Mick (Maynard), and he said, ‘Hey, I like it. Let’s do it.’ He’s just liked fight week so much better. He’s just so much happier because he was just miserable. That Thursday and Friday was just miserable for him.

“I think he’s really shining and coming into his own. You’ve got to think, I got Kennedy in the (Dana White’s) Contender (Series) at 3-0, man. He’s grown up in the UFC, similar to Macy (Chiasson), similar to a lot them. They’ve grown up in the UFC. For them to be ranked, and have to go through everything, it hasn’t been easy, right? Because they’ve had to learn on the job, a lot of them. … The heavyweight Kennedy, he’s free, he’s happy, so I’m excited about that.”

Spann (22-10 MMA, 8-5 UFC) will test his skills for the first time at heavyweight in March against Waldo Cortes-Acosta. His last fight at 205 pounds was a first-round submission of Ovince St. Preux at UFC 307, a result that snapped a three-fight skid.

Like Nzechukwu, Saud sees the move for Spann as about not worrying about the weight cut and focusing on skills, but also is indicative of a larger movement. Saud believes there will be multiple light heavyweights making the jump to heavyweight in the coming years, allowing the bigger guys to keep up a higher level of activity.

“It’s funny because Spann always said, ‘I’m gonna go to heavyweight. I’ll go and Kennedy will stay, and we’ll switch off,'” Saud said. “For them to all be now at heavyweight, and it to kind of come to fruition, it’s something they’ve always talked about. Alonzo (Menifield) is gonna stay at light heavyweight, he’s back at the gym. Those guys have the frame for heavyweight. They’re big. They’re 6’5”, huge reach, big, explose guys walking around 230, 245 (pounds) at their biggest. They can handle it. They’ve got the frame for it. So, I think he can do amazing stuff as well at heavyweight.

“You look at Jon (Jones) and what Jon has done. I think we’re ahead of the curve here getting our light heavys into heavy. I think you’re going to see a lot of teams and a lot of fighters try to make this jump now, similar to what we’re doing. We’re just trying to be ahead of the curve, and I think the guys are getting older, they’re better, they’re quicker. They’re very talented and skilled. I think they could do great at heavyweight.”

Beyond the scale, the move to heavyweight also gives Nzechukwu and Spann a longer timeline to compete, as the upper tier of heavyweight fighters have typically been older.

“He’s already a big, strong guy,” Saud said. “It’s about him not cutting the weight and really not focusing on the weight cut part of it. Those guys, 205 for Spann, he can do it, but it’s like I just feel like he can really grow. Also, when a guy is 33, 34 at light heayvweight, he’s a little old. When he’s 33 or 35 at heavyweight, he’s young. It just makes sense for these guys right now.”

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Ryan Spann moves to heavyweight for UFC showdown with Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Ryan Spann follows teammate Kennedy Nzechukwu into the UFC heavyweight division.

[autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag] is changing things up.

At UFC Fight Night 254, Spann (22-10 MMA, 8-5 UFC) will make his promotional heavyweight debut against “Salsa Boy” [autotag]Waldo Cortes-Acosta[/autotag] (12-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC). The bout takes place March 15 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Two people with knowledge of the matchup recently informed MMA Junkie of the booking but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. Twitter user @realkevin first reported the bout.

Spann, 33, snapped a three-fight skid at light heavyweight in October when he made quick work of veteran Ovince Saint Preux with a first-round submission victory. Spann is the second Fortis MMA product to move from light heavyweight to heavyweight in recent months. His teammate Kennedy Nzechukwu went 2-0 in 2024 at the new weight class.

Cortes-Acosta, 33, aims to extend a three-fight winning streak to four. That stretch includes victories over Lukasz Brzeski, Andrei Arlovski, and Robelis Despaigne.

With the addition, the UFC Fight Night 254 lineup includes:

  • Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Ryan Spann
  • Daniel Barez vs. Andre Lima

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 254.

Ryan Spann couldn’t help but guillotine at UFC 307: ‘We ended up seeing who had the better move’

Ryan Spann explains why he entered UFC 307 with plans of avoiding trying to exact maneuver he ended up winning by.

SALT LAKE CITY – [autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag] said he intended to stay away from the guillotine choke at UFC 307. But when the opportunity presented itself, he couldn’t help but indulge.

“I was trying to stay away from it because we both have a move that we’re good at,” Spann told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight news conference Saturday. “His move is supposed to be the counter to my move. So we ended up seeing who had the better move, I suppose.”

Spann (22-10 MMA, 8-5 UFC) submitted longtime UFC veteran Ovince Saint Preux (27-18 MMA, 15-13 UFC) with his signature high-elbow guillotine choke at 1:35 of Round 1 at Delta Center.

Despite the fight’s brevity, Spann said he felt there were some obvious mistakes he made.

“I felt, at times, in there, while moving, that I was a little sloppy. I didn’t do things conducive to what we’ve been working on every day at Fortis. I want to fix that and clean that up. … I felt it when I did it. There were a couple times I looked over like, ‘Hey, I know. My bad.'”

Now that a three-fight skid is snapped and he’s back in the win column, Spann is excited to try to build off that momentum in his return. But until his manager and coach Sayif Saud gets the offer from UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard, Spann will be enjoying life as a dad.

“I just want to get back to work,” Spann said. “I’m blessed with the opportunity to be able to do this and provide for my family. So we’re just going to get back to work. My son is starting and has always started football. Because I’ve been so busy with this, I’ve had to miss out on some things. Now, I can focus on him while doing my work at the same time.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.

UFC 307 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Program cracks $29 million total paid since Venum deal

The UFC has now paid more than $29 million to its athletes under the Promotional Guidelines Compliance program following UFC 307.

SALT LAKE CITY – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 307 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $407,500.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC 307 took place at Delta Center in Utah. The main card aired on ESPN+ pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and ESPN+.

The full UFC 307 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag]: $42,000
def. [autotag]Khalil Rountree[/autotag]: $32,000

[autotag]Julianna Peña[/autotag]: $32,000
def. [autotag]Raquel Pennington[/autotag]: $42,000

[autotag]Mario Bautista[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Jose Aldo[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Roman Dolidze[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Ketlen Vieira[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Stephen Thompson[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Iasmin Lucindo[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Marina Rodriguez[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Alexander Hernandez[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Austin Hubbard[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Cesar Almeida[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Ihor Potieria[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Ovince Saint Preux[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Tecia Pennington[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Carla Esparza[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Court McGee[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Tim Means[/autotag]: $21,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2024 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $6,302,500
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $29,039,500

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.

Ryan Spann def. Ovince Saint Preux at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City: Best photos

Check out the best photos from Ryan Spann’s first-round submission win over Ovince Saint Preux at UFC 307 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

Check out the best photos from [autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag]’s first-round submission win over [autotag]Ovince Saint Preux[/autotag] at UFC 307 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City. (Fight and venue photos by Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA Today Sports)