Bantamweights Payton Talbott and Felipe Lima kicked off Saturday’s UFC 317 main card at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Talbott was looking to bounce back from the first loss of his professional career, suffered against Raoni Barcelos in January. Lima, meanwhile, hadn’t suffered a loss since his pro debut in 2015.
There were some big swings, and perhaps a bit of nervous energy, in the early going of Talbott vs. Lima, but soon enough, Brazil’s Lima appeared to have found his range. Talbott mixed in low kicks, and Lima clinched up, taking the fight to the fence and looking to change levels, only to be reversed by Talbott. While the takedown wouldn’t happen there, Lima did land one moments later. Talbott popped right back up, only to be taken down again, but Talbott rolled through, ending up on top in a very fun sequence.
Lima would try to turn the tables moments later and attacked a leg, but Talbott pulled free, and wound up back on top. After a bit of ground n’ pound, Lima was able to escape up, only to eat a shoulder strike back on the feet. Yet this time, when they hit the mat, it was Lima on top. Talbott would make it back to his feet with about 25 seconds left in the opening round; he fired an elbow, and wound up in control against the fence as the horn sounded.
Round two saw Lima fire a crisp combo early, starting the round strong, but Talbott had him on his back all of 90 seconds in. Lima wouldn’t stay down long however, then it was back to the feet, Talbott landing a calf kick. Lima answered with a jab, then shot in on a takedown. Yet that backfired, with Talbott reversing and getting on top. Talbott would again finish the round strong, this time making it to mount and landing ground n’ pound.
Lima fired a spinning back fist early in round three, and added a right hand shortly thereafter. The fighters’ respective corners had different views on the bout after the second, with Talbott’s saying he was up 2-0 and Lima’s saying it was 1-1. Lima certainly fought like he needed to make a statement, and soon had Talbott down. Lima looked to advance his position, but Talbott was able to inch over to the fence and work his way up, Lima still on him.
When he broke free, however, Talbott cornered Lima, and ripped shots to the head and body. A kick then came close to the ear of Lima; his next takedown also backfired, with Talbott again getting on top. With just over a minute left, Talbott moved to mount, well away from the fence. Yet Lima somehow flipped over and scooted out the back. Talbott would recover, land ground n’ pound, dodge an upkick or two and finish strong – likely having done enough for the win.
Official Result: Payton Talbott def. Felipe Lima by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
