Mario Pinto says he wanted a real test, and UFC Paris gives him one against Ryan Spann. The unbeaten heavyweight meets Spann on September 5 at Accor Arena, adding another pressure point to a card that already includes Kurtis Campbell chasing his first UFC win and Fares Ziam trying to restart his lightweight run.
Pinto is 10-0 and has already won three UFC fights. Spann brings far more major-stage experience after moving up from light heavyweight and winning two of his first three heavyweight bouts.
“I think yeah, it’s the right fight to make,”
“It’s a good challenge for me. We’re both well-rounded, same height, same reach. He’s definitely got the experience on me – I can’t take that away from him. But it’s just a new challenge for me, and I’ve got to get through Ryan Spann.”
Pinto Wants The Hard Route Early
Pinto said his first three UFC bouts gave him useful variety. He knocked out Austen Lane and Jhonata Diniz, then became the first fighter to take Felipe Franco the distance in March.
“I’m content. I feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be,”
“The first three [fights], now I’m on my second contract, as well, so I’m excited for re-signing with the UFC. So yeah, man, I can’t complain.”
“I used to dream about this, but now I’m here. So I feel like I’m getting settled in, but you obviously still feel a bit excited. That never goes away, and I think it’s good to enjoy it while I can.”
“I feel good, man, because I always value cage time and getting different [types of] results,”
“I’ve fought different bodies. First one was a giant, second one was my height, and then the third one was someone shorter. So it’s good to mix it in, get different experiences, especially under the bright lights, which is good.”
Spann has finished opponents with strikes and submissions, and that is exactly why Pinto says the matchup matters. The heavyweight division has been moving around injuries and title questions, including Tom Aspinall’s return timeline, but Pinto is trying to force his way into the next tier by beating a known finisher.
“I know Ryan’s very well-rounded – you can’t take that away from him,”
“I feel like, unfortunately, a lot of the casuals are overlooking him. He’s not very big in terms of media presence, but he’s been around; he’s knocked out a lot of contenders and champions, and he knocked out someone with his jab.”
“You’ve got to respect him. He’s got a lot of submissions, so he’s very dangerous. But I feel like he’s what’s gonna bring the best out of me, you know?”
“I think it’s the right path, man,”
“I’m always like welcoming more challenges. I don’t want to be fed, let’s say, lesser opponents, or easier opponents, and then when it gets to the hard fights, then you fold.”
“It happens to a lot of people. They just get fed people that are supposed to be easy, and then they get to the top, and then they’re in for a rude awakening.”
Pinto expects Paris to be loud, but he said Brazil prepared him for hostile noise.
“I’ve heard it’s crazy, I’ve heard it’s wild, but I don’t think it’s gonna be as wild as Brazil.”
“I feel like Brazil was just different to me. I heard what the insults were, so I understood them! So that’s a bit different, as well!”
“They let me know they hated me at the time. After [the fight], they were very nice people!”
His target for the Spann fight is blunt.
“Fifteen minutes of controlling and beating him up,”
“I think yeah, it would definitely get me the recognition I deserve, and I think the fighters in the heavyweight division, they know who Ryan Spann is, and they know he’s to be respected. Definitely, people are gonna know I’m a problem, man.”
“What are people gonna say? Oh, they’re gonna recognize, baby!”
“They’re gonna know who I am.”
