UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal (UFC Vegas 116)
Heavyweight Bout – Main Card
Prelims: 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT
Main Card: 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT
Venue: Meta APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada
Broadcast: Paramount+
Fight Context and Fighter Records
This heavyweight scrap opens the main card on UFC Vegas 116 and was added on short notice after Max Gimenis withdrew. BJJ legend Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida (15-time world champion) makes his third UFC appearance looking for his first Octagon win after a disappointing 0-1-1 start. Ryan “Superman” Spann, a veteran with legitimate finishing power and submission game, steps in on short notice after moving up from light heavyweight. A win for Buchecha validates his UFC signing and grappling pedigree at 265 lbs; a victory for Spann keeps his momentum alive in the heavyweight division and could earn him a ranked opponent.
Current records (as of April 2026):
Marcus Buchecha (“Buchecha”): 5-2-1 overall, 0-1-1 in the UFC.
Ryan Spann (“Superman”): 23-11-0 overall, UFC record approximately 9-6-0.
Recent Form
Buchecha: The 36-year-old Brazilian has yet to find his footing in the UFC. He dropped a unanimous decision to Martin Buday (July 26, 2025) and fought to a controversial unanimous draw with Kennedy Nzechukwu (December 13, 2025, with Nzechukwu docked a point for an eye poke). Prior to the UFC, he was a submission machine in ONE Championship (notable wins: Amir Aliakbari R1 RNC, Kirill Grishenko R1 heel hook). Buchecha’s UFC struggles stem from poor striking defense and an inability to impose his grappling early enough.
Spann: The 36-year-old American is coming off a first-round guillotine submission win over Łukasz Brzeski (July 19, 2025) in his second heavyweight bout. Before that, he was stopped by Waldo Cortes-Acosta (March 15, 2025, R2 KO). Spann has shown improved finishing ability at heavyweight (14 career subs, 6 KOs) but remains hittable and has been finished five times in his last 11 fights. His recent form highlights explosive early finishes mixed with defensive vulnerabilities.
Injury Report
Marcus Buchecha: Fully healthy. No reported injuries or issues from open workouts or media day. He has trained at American Top Team without setbacks.
Ryan Spann: Fully cleared despite the short-notice call-up. No lingering issues from his July 2025 fight or training camp. Both fighters have made weight cleanly and are expected to enter 100% ready.
Fighter Matchups and Styles
Striking: Spann holds a significant edge in power, reach (79″ vs. Buchecha’s 77.6″), and height (6’5″ vs. 6’2″). He can end fights with one shot or early TKO. Buchecha’s striking is rudimentary and defensively porous, making him vulnerable to counters.
Grappling: Buchecha is elite — world-class BJJ with four submission wins in five UFC/ONE victories. Spann is no slouch (14 career subs, including recent guillotines) but has been controlled by stronger wrestlers/grapplers lately.
Pace and Cardio: Spann thrives in chaotic early exchanges but can fade. Buchecha has solid gas but has yet to show finishing urgency in the UFC.
X-Factors: Buchecha’s grappling pedigree vs. Spann’s heavyweight power and short-notice experience. This is a high-risk, high-reward striker-vs-grappler clash that analysts widely expect to end early.
Fight History
This is the first meeting between the two. Buchecha is 100% finish rate in wins but 0-1-1 by decision in the UFC. Spann has been finished only three times in his last 10 fights but owns a 17-finish rate overall. The bout was confirmed in mid-April 2026 as a replacement.
FIGHT ODDS
Marcus Buchecha – 160
Ryan Spann + 130
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 24, 2026
