Seattle Fights is hyped to bring you round by round reviews of each fight on UFC 249. Up first is Ryan Spann v Sam Alvey. Spann made his way to the UFC via Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series. His opponent is Waterford, Wisconsin native “Smilin’” Sam Alvey who currently trains at Team Quest based in Temecula, California.
Alvey enters the contest on a three-fight losing skid and badly needs a win. Spann, on the other hand, enters the contest on a three-fight win streak as the biggest betting favorite on the card. This is a classic MMA matchup of and up and coming talent versus established veteran.
Round 1
Spann lands a couple good right hands that lead into a single leg takedown by Spann. Alvey, however, quickly works back to his feet. Spann gets a second single leg takedown but as Alvey worked back to his feet Spann puts Smilin’ Sam into a standing arm triangle. The finish appeared close for Spann as Alvey’s face turned a deep shade of red. Alvey was able to eventually break the hold but Spann showed a strong squeeze. The southpaw Alvey worked a couple nice counter right hooks late in the round as Spann aggressively moved forward. Alvey finished the round with two more nice right hook counters.
Seattle Fights round score – 10-9 Spann
Round 2
Alvey lands a nice jab early. A good counter right hand lands for Spann. Spann lands another good counter right off of a low leg kick by Alvey that Spann caught. Spann lands a good front kick. The first of four or five good front kicks landed by Spann in the round. The last front kick landed in the round by Spann was set up by a nice jab. Alvey’s best moment in the round came via a crafty right hook counter mid-way through the round.
Seattle Fights round score – 10-9 Spann
Round 3
This round was clearly Alvey’s. Alvey was hinting for the counter right hook during the round. A strong right head kick by Spann sets off a flurry of activity by both fighters. Late in the round Alvey appeared close to a finish as he stunned Spann on three separate occasions. The first was off a left high kick by Alvey. Alvey then worked a front choke attempt. After Spann works his way back to the feet, Alvey lands two big punches that badly hurt Spann.
One interesting note to this round was hearing Alvey’s corner tell him late in the round that he needed a finish to win the fight. Without a crowd in the arena due to the pandemic, the cornermen could be heard more than usual.
Seattle Fights round score 10-9 Alvey
Official score – Split decision win for Spann (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)