“Ryan’s a father and a husband, and he’s just growing into the man that he needs to be, really, and that’s what I’ve seen in a lot of these guys as they get older,” began Saud. “Their ‘why’ changes a little bit, and I think he’s just growing up, to really put it simply.
“The process does maybe take a little longer (with bigger guys),” continued the respected coach. “I think that’s why you saw Glover (Teixeira) and these guys realizing success, having success in these bigger divisions when they’re older, when they’re smarter.
“These guys peak in a different way in the heavier weight classes, and I think Ryan is just getting started in that process.”
The man standing opposite him on Saturday night has followed a comparable delayed trajectory, as well.
Jon Jones | Dynamic Debuts
Krylov first touched down inside the Octagon at UFC 164, losing to veteran Soa Palelei in the first of two heavyweight bouts before he wisely dropped down to the light heavyweight ranks. He went 6-3 during his initial nine-fight run, parting ways with the promotion following a loss to Cirkunov at UFC 206.
He earned stoppage victories in each of his next four fights, including wins over Emanuel Newton and Fabio Maldonado, and returned to the UFC roster when the organization made its first appearance in Russia in the fall of 2018. While he’s gone 4-4 in his second UFC run, Krylov, like Spann, enters on a two-fight winning streak, ready to show that these recent flashes are actually the start of a more prolonged run of success.
