Payton Talbott bounced again in an enormous manner with a dynamic placing and grappling efficiency to beat Felipe Lima to kick off the UFC 317 major card on Saturday.
From counter wrestling to floor and pound whereas showcasing some blistering combos on the ft, Talbott confirmed off huge enhancements after struggling the primary lack of his profession. When it was over there was little doubt that Talbott did sufficient to win with the judges all scoring the struggle 29-28 in his favor after three rounds.
“It feels a lot better,” Talbott mentioned after getting the nod. “Now that I’ve come again from a loss, I really feel like I’ve bought the complete scope of issues. I be taught whereas I’m preventing. I’m nonetheless studying each time I get within the cage. It’s all about having enjoyable in right here.”
Talbott was main the cost as he moved ahead to begin the struggle however Lima cracked him with a number of stinging pictures that positively bought his consideration. Lima then snatched a leg to go for a takedown however Talbott did a unbelievable job to roll by and really reverse the place because the fighters hit the canvas.
On high, Talbott unloaded some stiff elbows however Lima was fast to scramble and escape again to his ft. One other grappling alternate yielded no actual success for both fighter as Talbott and Lima continued to battle for place.
Because the second spherical bought began, Lima tagged Talbott with a nasty mixture however he determined to show to his grappling once more, which ended with him on his again once more. Talbott instantly hammered him with an enormous punch from the highest however finally determined to face up once more.
Talbott continued to place strain on Lima the place he popped him with one other straight punch and the Brazilian’s head snapped again in violent vogue. One other takedown reversal adopted with Talbott blasting Lima with a nasty elbow because the momentum continued to shift into his favor.
With 5 minutes remaining, Lima’s coaches burdened to think about his placing and he got here out firing instantly. Lima was mixing issues up properly however he as soon as once more turned to his grappling to plant Talbott on the bottom.
Sadly, Lima’s struggles on the bottom continued with Talbott fast to stand up once more and he instantly launched a fast spinning heel kick that just about landed clear. As time ticked away, Talbott delivered extra floor and pound and actually confirmed how a lot he’s discovered in a comparatively quick period of time since his final look within the octagon.
So far as what comes subsequent, Talbott had a reputation in thoughts for a future opponent.
“I’ve been asking for Adrian Yanez for a minute,” Talbott mentioned. “Let’s run it.”
