One UFC 318 fighter did what Jon Jones could not by brutally knocking out their shared opponent.
Saturday’s UFC 318 pay-per-view card has been criticized by some in the lead-up, with many questioning the absence of a divisional title and high-ranked names.
The main attention is unsurprisingly on the headliner, which features Dustin Poirier’s retirement fight against BMF champion Max Holloway. Below their trilogy fight, some have suggested the lineup leaves a lot to be desired.
But even with a lack of name value, highlight-reel finishes are always a possibility, and one man is no stranger to thrilling fans with violent knockouts.
- READ MORE: Dustin Poirier reveals there is one combat sport fans could still see him compete in after UFC 318
Ryan Spann slept Dominick Reyes with a jab in devastating 2022 KO
Ryan Spann has endured a difficult period ahead of UFC 318, winning just one of his last five fights. That run has stalled the light heavyweight’s rise up the ladder, which accelerated in late 2022 with a memorable performance at Madison Square Garden.
After returning to winning ways with a submission against Ion Cutelaba, ‘Superman’ received a high-profile opponent in former two-time title challenger Dominick Reyes at UFC 281.
While ‘The Devastator’ had dropped three fights in a row against Jon Jones, Jan Blachowicz, and Jiri Prochazka, many believe he should have defeated ‘Bones’ and his subsequent fights came against two of the division’s best.
With that in mind, Reyes was widely expected to bounce back at Spann’s expense. But the 33-year-old Memphis native had a different script.
Spann needed just 80 seconds to KO Reyes, as he shut the lights out with a single jab early in round one. The result left many concluding the ex-title challenger’s chin was compromised and writing off his chances of rising through the ranks again.
Meanwhile, despite the brutal result, a weight miss in the lead-up meant that ‘Superman’ was ineligible for the post-fight performance bonus that such a finish would usually warrant.
Spann is now gearing up to share the cage with Lukasz Brzeski at UFC 318, having moved up to the heavyweight division.
- READ MORE: Dustin Poirier predicted to win at UFC 318 by legend who’s ‘never picked against’ Max Holloway
Many fans maintain that Dominick Reyes ‘beat’ Jon Jones
The final light heavyweight fight of Jones’ career was among the most controversial, and the closest the Rochester native came to being defeated without a disqualification ruling.
Jones officially beat Reyes at UFC 247 in February 2020, but the unanimous decision that kept the 205-pound gold in the GOAT contender’s possession was heavily disputed.
To this day, many fans on social media maintain that ‘The Devastator’ did enough to deserve to walk away from Houston’s Toyota Center as champion.
“None of the judges agreed Reyes beat Jones, doesn’t change the fact that he did.”
“Reyes definitely beat Jones. Jon is NOT the goat.”
“Never forget Dominick Reyes beat Jon Jones.”
“Why do we still call Jon Jones undefeated…we all watched Reyes beat him.”
“Reyes beat Jones and he beat him in the easiest fight to score ever.”