Payton Talbott`s momentum was slowed significantly earlier this year following a dominant decision loss to Raoni Barcelos at UFC 311. Now, Felipe Lima intends to completely halt Talbott`s progress when they face off this Saturday at UFC 317.
The bout between Lima and Talbott is set to open the main card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This gives the experienced Brazilian fighter an opportunity to continue his winning streak against a well-regarded prospect.
In an interview, Lima commented on Talbott`s style: “Talbott prefers striking and putting pressure on his opponents,” he stated. “He had issues on the ground in his last fight [against Barcelos], but I believe he`s a capable fighter with strong striking. However, his game has many vulnerabilities. I anticipate his strategy. He seems to think I`ll only aim for takedowns and control, but that`s incorrect. While he`ll attempt to pressure me, I plan to return that pressure. It should be an exciting fight for viewers. I`m also pleased it was moved to the main card.”
Lima secured a submission victory over Muhammad Naimov in his UFC debut in Saudi Arabia, followed by a decision win against Miles Johns in Tampa on short notice, even while dealing with health problems. He is now returning to his natural weight class to compete against Talbott and expects to perform even more effectively at bantamweight.
Regarding his return to bantamweight (135 lbs), Lima commented, “I`m much faster at 135. This is where I belong. I feel heavier and slower at 145 lbs; that isn`t my division. I`m glad to be back in my weight class and really looking forward to the fight [at UFC 317].”
Lima, a former Oktagon champion who trains in Sweden, revealed that his initial opponent planned for UFC 317 was Jonathan Martinez. However, a new opponent was needed after Martinez suffered a fractured orbital bone during training. Lima mentioned that after two weeks passed without anyone agreeing to take the fight, he was eventually matched with Talbott.
Expressing his feelings about the delay in finding an opponent, Lima stated, “It was frustrating because I was consistently training, maintaining my diet, and fully prepared, and I worried I wouldn`t get to compete at UFC 317. I`m unsure why others are hesitant to fight me. Perhaps it`s the perceived risk of facing an unranked fighter. I don`t know the details of the negotiations, but participating at UFC 317 is an opportunity not to be missed. When the offer came, I accepted immediately, no matter who the opponent was. I never pick my fights.”
Having not lost since his professional MMA debut in Amazonas in 2015, Lima carries a 14-fight winning streak spanning nearly a decade, with a 50 percent finish rate. Based on this momentum, Lima predicts he will stop Talbott, stating it will happen “in the second round, or late in the third.”
Discussing the significance of facing Talbott, Lima commented, “Fighting him is a great opportunity because he has considerable hype and a large following. He`s a notable opponent to defeat, and it will help get my name noticed by more people in the UFC. The promotion was already considering matching me with ranked opponents because they struggled to find suitable regular opponents, which is why they targeted Jonathan Martinez initially. Winning this bout will elevate me significantly, and I`m confident it will position me for a fight against a top 10 ranked contender next.”
