TLDR
- Marcus Buchecha (-145 to -155) is the slight betting favorite over Ryan Spann (+114 to +130)
- Buchecha is 5-2-1 in MMA and is still seeking his first official UFC win
- Spann (23-11) stepped in on roughly two weeks’ notice and moved up from light heavyweight
- Spann has the size advantage: 6’5″ with a 79-inch reach vs. Buchecha’s 6’2″ and 77.5-inch reach
- Most analysts favor Spann by KO or Buchecha by submission, making this a classic striker vs. grappler matchup
Full Card Odds
Fight Time & How to Watch
| Time Zone | Start Time |
|---|---|
| Eastern (ET) | ~10:35 PM |
| Central (CT) | ~9:35 PM |
| Mountain (MT) | ~8:35 PM |
| Pacific (PT) | ~7:35 PM |
| UK (GMT+1) | ~3:35 AM (Sun) |
| Australia AEST | ~12:35 PM (Sun) |
Where to watch: Paramount+ Venue: Meta APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
IT ALL GOES DOWN TOMORROW 💪#UFCVegas116 is READY!
[ APRIL 25 | LIVE on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/ad1baRzZ3Y
— UFC (@ufc) April 25, 2026
Marcus Buchecha and Ryan Spann meet in the heavyweight division on the main card of UFC Vegas 116 on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Buchecha enters as the slight betting favorite at -145 to -155, depending on the book. Spann is listed as the underdog at +114 to +130.
Buchecha holds a record of 5-2-1 in MMA. He came to the UFC from ONE Championship and has not yet recorded an official win inside the octagon. His last fight ended in a draw against Kennedy Nzechukwu.
Spann carries a 23-11 record and has been with the UFC since 2018. He originally competed at light heavyweight before moving up to heavyweight last year.
The Tale of the Tape
Spann has a clear size edge. He stands 6’5″ with a 79-inch reach and a 45.5-inch leg reach. Buchecha is 6’2″ with a 77.5-inch reach and a 41-inch leg reach.
Buchecha is 36 years old and Spann is 34. Both fighters have a finishing rate above 85%, so a decision seems unlikely.
Spann stepped in on roughly two weeks’ notice for this fight. That is a short turnaround at heavyweight, where conditioning matters.
The Matchup
This fight comes down to grappling versus striking. Buchecha is a world-class Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor with a 100% finishing rate in MMA. Spann relies on power striking and has a dangerous guillotine choke of his own.
Buchecha’s main path to victory is getting the fight to the ground. His grappling ability is far above Spann’s, and a submission finish is likely if he can secure top position.
Spann’s best chance is keeping the fight standing. He has fast hands, carries power from his light heavyweight days, and has the reach to keep Buchecha at distance.
Analysts are split. Some favor Buchecha to grind out a submission. Others back Spann to land a clean shot on the feet, pointing to Buchecha’s raw striking and tendency to leave his chin exposed on takedown attempts.
The under 1.5 rounds is listed at -175, meaning oddsmakers expect a quick finish either way.
Spann’s last fight was a first-round guillotine choke win over Lukasz Brzeski at UFC 318 in New Orleans. Buchecha’s last fight, a draw with Nzechukwu, showed he can struggle against bigger light heavyweights who can out-strike him.
