UFC featherweight Felipe Lima had a hard time getting an opponent, but so did Payton Talbott, so the two matched up to fight at UFC 317 on Saturday night.
“The UFC called me 5 weeks ago to fight Jonathan Martinez. Unfortunately he got injured,” Lima told reporters including Cageside Press on Wednesday.
“Payton didn’t have an opponent either so we ended up fighting each other. It’s perfect match.”
Lima (14-1) actually prefers this matchup with Talbott over Martinez. With Talbott’s having some push behind him currently Lima hopes to steal that with a win at UFC 317.
“Payton has a good name behind him, he has good hype, I think beating Payton going to put me in a good position,” he said.
Being part of the main card of a UFC PPV in Las Vegas is big for any fighter, but certainly for Lima. The former Oktagon MMA champion has only fought twice in the UFC.
“I found out on Wednesday. When they told me I’m going to fight on main card I got very, very happy. I like to fight for the public, for the fans, and I like when arena is full. International Fight Week is a great card, one of the best cards in the year, I’m just grateful for everything,” he said.
Watch the entire media day scrum with Felipe Lima above. He takes on Payton Talbott at UFC 317 on Saturday night.
