Bantamweight: Junior Cortez Vs. Payton Talbott
Tale of the Tape
30-years-old
5’7″
Phoenix, Arizona, US
Fight Ready MMA
7-2
5 KO/TKOs
Combined opponents’ record: 14-13
Payton Talbott
24-years-old
5’10″
Reno, Nevada, US
Reno Academy of Combat
5-0
5 KO/TKOs
Combined opponents’ record: 18-6-2
Pros and Cons
Junior Cortez
Pros
- Knockout power
- Good TDD
- Heavy leg kicks
- Solid right hand
- Underrated wrestling
- Good-enough grappling
- Quick hands
- Good use of feints
- Solid GNP
- Well-conditioned
- Good one-two
- A lot of toughness
- Good output
Cons
- Easily hit
- Plodding footwork
Payton Talbott
Pros
- Excellent bodywork
- Good ground and pound
- Does well off his back
- Good shot-selection
- Uses different striking patterns
- Combination striker
- Good jab
- Dangerous knees
- High volume
Cons
- Lacks head movement at times
- TDD needs some work
- Chin high
Who has the advantage?
Striking: Talbott
Speed: Cortez
Output/Volume: Talbott
Kickboxing: Cortez
Striking defense: Cortez
Footwork/movement: Talbott
Wrestling: Cortez
Grappling: Talbott
Gas tank: Even
Prediction: I love this fight as I think it should be the main event. I came into the fight fully expecting to pick Talbott but it’s closer to pick than some think. Cortez has improved so much since his Contender Series fight in 2021. So much that I think he’s UFC level no matter the outcome. Talbott has also grown rapidly. Watch his pro debut and then his last fight and you will see he’s miles ahead from that early version.
Talbott is so good with his striking I see a lot of Sean O’Malley in him. Talbott is an extremely talented striker that is going to carve up a lot of people in the future. His defense is still a big concern however. His head movement is good at times but for the most part, his chin is wide open. Also, his takedown defense is a big issue even though he’s always gotten right back up.
I look at Cortez in this fight as the lesser striker but technically but is still more dangerous. I say that because Cortez can take a lot of punishment and dish it out. Talbott hasn’t fought someone with the hand speed and power of Cortez. I can see Talbott landing more output but Cortez having the bigger moments.
I like Cortez for the upset here. I’m strongly factoring in the striking defense of Talbott. Cortez I believe will land the more impactful strikes. Even though I think this will be a striking match for the most part Cortez could mix in a few takedowns. I love this fight but I believe it’s too soon for Talbott. The pick is Cortez by decision.
