The Clinch Podcast
Welcome to The Clinch Podcast, your go-to source for all things combat sports! Im your host Chey, and this podcast dives deep into the world of mixed martial arts, boxing, and everything in between. Whether you're a seasoned fan, an aspiring fighter, or just starting to explore the sport, I've got you covered.
Each episode, I break down the biggest fights, the most exciting up-and-comers, and the stories behind the athletes who live and breathe the fight game. From interviews with fighters, coaches, and analysts to in-depth discussions about the strategies, training, and culture that shape the world of combat sports, The Clinch brings you the pulse of the fight world with a unique perspective.
No topic is off-limits – whether it's the hottest fight night previews, game-changing industry news, or tackling the personal journeys of those in the ring and beyond, The Clinch Podcast always delivers fresh, exciting, and honest conversations.
Get ready for powerful discussions, intense analysis, and the raw energy of combat sports. Join me and step into the clinch – where the action happens.
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The Clinch Podcast
Cracked Colby Christmas, New Year Slump Card, and New Deathscrolls
Hey Clinch crew! Welcome back for another sesh of breaking down last weekend's fights, what's coming up next, and my new favorite segment, the DEATHSCROLL. Press play for another fun episode full of MMA fun and join me in the Clinch!
what's up guys? Welcome back to the clinch Podcast. If you don't know, my name is Shay and today I just wanted to say thank you To start off. You guys really received last week's episode really well. I had so much fun doing it in that format, so I've decided that that will be the primary format. Really. That will that these episodes will be structured like going forward. So I'm so excited. It's so much more relaxing and just adds like a chill aspect to a otherwise very intense topic. So I'm really excited that you guys liked that. That made me super happy. So I'll continue doing death scrolls at the end of most episodes and we'll just be going through fights as the episode goes along. And today we're going to start off with UFC Tampa as well as some predictions for the fight night that's going to kick off the year Amanda Rivas versus Mackenzie Dern, which I think should be exciting. I also have some other opinions on it, but we'll go ahead and get into that a little bit later. Let's go ahead and start off with UFC Tampa.
Speaker 1:I wanted to start off with Davey Grant versus Tavares. So I really love Davey Grant. I was so excited to see him fight. As you all know, if you listened to last week's episode. I've been watching him since, like I said, his season of the Ultimate Fighter where he was on Ronda Rousey's team. So I really just enjoy a Davey Grant show. He always keeps it exciting and he really showed up in this fight and I think he'll be around for a while. He's just one of those fun guys that is just always fun to watch. Like a clay guida I feel like different style and pacing, so like not in that aspect, but just the amount of draw they get just for being a ufc's good guy type of thing. So I loved that fight, super excited for it. It paid off big time. So let me know if you guys enjoyed that one.
Speaker 1:And then next I want to go ahead and talk about Miranda Maverick versus Jamie Lynn Orth. So if you've heard my previous episodes where I've talked about Mirandaanda maverick, you know that I was kind of on the fence with her for a while and just her past few fights have just kind of put a bad taste in my mouth. She is a she's a bit of a complainer and she is delusional, which you know what a good fighter does and what a champion mindset should include is delusion to a certain extent, you know, healthy, ambitious delusion, which I think is just a little different from what Miranda and her team exhibit. I think that her skill level isn't where they perceive it to be, and I do also want to include that. On the other hand, miranda did have a bit of a reason to complain in this fight because there were some iffy strikes to the back of the head. So I I would be pissed about that too. So I totally understand her being upset about it and posting about it on social media. I just think it is still cringe. I still view it as cringe and that's cringe and that's just my opinion. That's just my opinion. Yeah, I just am not sure what exactly she can do to evolve. I if her mindset and her team's mindset is where it is. So it was just an interesting fight to see and I want to give her her props. She does have amazing strength in wrestling. She's super athletic, so I admire that. I just think her mental aspects of her game are lacking, and fight IQ included. So I don't know, we'll see. I could be just talking smack for no reason. I most likely am, but let me know what you guys think.
Speaker 1:So on to the next one we have, woodson versus Padilla. So this one obviously super crazy, very exciting. Sean Woodson is shaped very peculiarly. Peculiarly I probably am too. To a lot of people I don't think so, but I do think that Sean Woodson does have a very specific shape about him. That's interesting to think about. You know, how his physique gives him an advantage is something really cool to think about. So I don't mean that in a derogatory way, I just want to say it's. Let me know what you guys think, what advantages he might have from having those super long, you know stiff, skinny legs. But in this fight he definitely had the advantage, both in strength, speed, technique, everywhere. Um, it just kind of looked sad for Padilla. He looked lost and dazed 90% of the time. So it was super sad for him but exciting for us. That is the sickening reality of us as fans of this brutal sport and I think that it was super cool to see such a cool knockout with everything Woodson through by the end just didn't have an answer for it. So Better man won the fight that night and it was super entertaining.
Speaker 1:And after that fight we had Joel Alvarez versus Draco Close and that was pretty shocking to me. I knew it would be a pretty close fight. But I didn't expect Draco Close to I don't know kind of look as weak chinned, but I don't know why, because I remember last time he fought I noticed that his chin was a bit weak. So interesting, I'm super excited. Someone from Spain won, though. Love it Very, very fun. And of course we have Michael Johnson versus Osman Azatar and that was sounding probably crazy in your ear, sorry, friends, but of course that was an amazing fight. Michael Johnson showed out. He's another one. I feel like I have the same perspective of him as I do like Chris Weidman or Michael Chiesa. I mentioned that a few episodes ago, where I second guess a fighter because of how maybe long they've been in the UFC and I'm just curious to see how they fare against a more difficult opponent. So I was pleasantly surprised at how well Michael Johnson did. It was sick. I thoroughly enjoyed that fight.
Speaker 1:And now I want to move on to Cub Swanson versus Billy Quarantillo. So before I dive into that one, I just want to say I always have that internal conflict between and I know I'm not pronouncing it the best, I know my Spanish isn't great, but it's definitely not the worst but Billy Quarantillo and Quarantillo it. It's so hard for me to say Quarantillo, so I'm sorry. I'm just gonna proceed to say it that way, because that is how the MMA community has. Majority of us have agreed. That's how it's pronounced. Or I say of us, like we're a freaking cult, but yeah, so we're gonna go with that. But crazy fight, it was so crazy. I'm actually really happy that it played out how it did, because I knew that both of these would be a difficult challenge for the other person, so I'm glad that it actually went into the third round and ended. Of course, how it did. That was just one of those classic knockouts.
Speaker 1:Both men did their best and I think, of course, cub Swanson had the edge throughout. He just posed as a difficult opponent for billy because he was someone that just did not go down. He well, he would, you know, obviously get taken down, but he wasn't gonna go out and he wasn't really someone you could get past, and so he was hitting a stone wall while he was trying to think this fight through as it was going. And Cub Swanson is just not that kind of fighter. He's not that kind of thinker, or he doesn't seem to be. He seems to be someone who fights instinctually and that's another topic that I've talked about a lot on the podcast is the difference between an instinctual fighter and a technical, calculated fighter, and they both definitely have their pros and their cons.
Speaker 1:So I'm definitely open to doing a dedicated episode just comparing a whole bunch of fighters I think a whole bunch of fighters and the style that I think they exemplify the most, and what works for them and what doesn't work for them. That would be super fun. Let me know if you guys want me to do that. Instinctual versus calculated fighters. That sounds super fun. So yeah, he got laid out. Billy did, and it was crazy. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I know you guys did too Classic, classic Cub Swanson in there, and I hope that he does fight a few more times. I hope it's not just one more fight, but looks to be that way. So looks like we're gonna be saying bye to Cub Swanson here pretty soon. So everyone get ready for that. I know I will definitely have to get ready for that too. Now I want to move on to the Christmas present that the entire MMA community was gifted this fine holiday season, and that was a win for Joaquin Buckley and loss for Coley Covington.
Speaker 1:I'm so happy that this happened. I'm not a fan. I'm just not exactly someone who gets excited by a Colby Covington fight announcement. He has some skill, or he has had at least two fights that I can remember where I was like okay, yes, very good, very, very demure. But in the other fights I'm just like not impressed. He's not that exciting to me. So I was kind of happy and I say kind of because I do wish it was a different kind of finish, because I do wish it was a different kind of finish. But it is also something to think about that his skin split so easily. Like is he a soft-faced man? And you know there are worse things to be than a soft-faced man, but not much, not many more things worse than that. If I were a man I definitely wouldn't want to be a soft-faced one. But you know that that is just his own issue, I guess you know I'm not sure what in his game he needs to change to be able to pull through on his fights and maintain any kind of, I guess, skill to back his name up. So I'm was I was underwhelmed by him but of course, super excited for walking buckley. He's continuing to climb up those rankings and fully deserves this ascend. So I'm really excited. And yeah, that was UFC Tampa. Those were my highlight fights.
Speaker 1:And now I do want to talk about UFC Vegas, dern versus Ribas. So duval, our very own Preston Parsons. I wanted to go ahead and just open up with that one. I'm super excited. He has a whole city behind him. All of Jacksonville is rooting for you, preston. Super excited about that. Don't know much about Andres Gustafson, but all I know is that we get it. We get it out here, we be swinging, so I'm super excited about that one.
Speaker 1:And then next we have Ernesta Katakach and Nicole Cagliari. I apologize if I mispronounce any name going forward. I'm going to try my best, but I'm pretty sure Nicole Cagliari is going to take this one. I don't think that with the stats and record that Ernesta is showing her trends, as far as trends go, I'm not sure she has the edge here, but we'll see, of course.
Speaker 1:And then we have Nouroulo Alyev versus Yanal Ashmoz. I think that Nouroulo should have the edge. I think that his accuracies for striking takedowns were a little better than Yanal and his recent track record, I believe, is a little better. So we're gonna go ahead and go no Rulo on that one. And then we also have Jose Johnson versus Felipe Buñez. I I think Felipe has it on this one. I think that he's looking a little bit more fresher going in, just from what I've seen, so bit more pressure going in, just from what I've seen. So, don't you know, hold me to that one, but we'll see.
Speaker 1:And then we have another exciting fight Punahele Siriano versus Uro Shmedek. I think that Uro Shmedek will just have a slight edge over Punahele here. I think he might just be able to overpower him just a bit. But then again, you know, punahele is extremely strong. So I'm interested to see how they match up against one another. But I think that Yorosh will have it in this one. And then we have Carlson Harris versus Santiago Ponzinibbio. I actually think that Carlson Harris will have this one. I think that he'll have the edge as far as striking goes, and Santiago Ponzinibbio will have a hard time kind of moving and grooving along with Carlston. So I foresee Harris going ahead and winning that one.
Speaker 1:And Austin Boshy versus Christian Rodriguez is a very interesting one. I don't know a lot about Austin Boshy. He looks super young. About Austin Boshy, he looks super young. So it's been kind of a trend for these super like young fighters to come in and just kind of go crazy Chase Hooper, for a recent example. So I'm gonna go Austin Boshy on this one, just kind of banking on that trend. He looks like a wrestler. So I'm gonna go ahead and just stick with the typical UFC formula that I have kind of just seen trend over the years.
Speaker 1:And then I want to kind of skip over a few and go to Tiago Moises versus Trey Ogden. I think that Tiago Moises has been super unpredictable and so I'm going to go Trey Ogden here. He has had just a little bit more consistency and excitement factor thrown into his fight, so we're going to go ahead and say him here. And then another one I'm super excited about is Chris Curtis versus Roman Kofelov. I actually really like Chris Curtis. I have been super entertained by his previous fights. However, I'm actually going to go Roman Kapilov on this one, just because Chris Curtis is another one who is not so reliable all the time, one who is not so reliable all the time. So Roman Krapilov definitely seems like he has more of the boogie factor here, like he'll be able to control the fight more. You know, kind of just think one step ahead. So I'm really excited to see how that's going to play out. Equally as interested, just because I want to see how that whole chess match goes.
Speaker 1:And then we have Marco Tulio versus Ihor Potier. That is the cone cone, that is the co-main event for that night. And that one is interesting to me. It looks like this is Marco Tulio's debut, his UFC debut. So I don't know too much about him. And Ihor Potera seems to be super promising Not super Seems to be kind of promising as well from what I saw in my research for this. Just not very predictable. So I'm using that word a lot and I've just kind of been trying to think of a formula to kind of gauge my decisions on, and predictability is a huge part of that formula. So I'm gonna just take a risk here and say Marco Tulio. I think that he will make a statement debut. He's in a co-main event slot, so I think that he should be able to deliver.
Speaker 1:And then finally, we have Mackenzie Dern versus Amanda Dibas. This one, I hope, is exciting. Just to be completely honest, I like both of these girls and I have seen them be exciting. I just have also seen them be boring. So it'll be interesting to see what they're able to pull off. So I'm I'm a little worried. I just hope it's at least exciting.
Speaker 1:Now, as far as outcomes go, I I'm gonna pick Mackenzie Dern. Her jiu-jitsu, obviously, is not something you want to bet against. Amanda D West also has incredible striking and decent grappling as well, of course. But I just think that Mackenzie Dern has also been able to show that she can evolve rather quickly. I think that there's a period of time where she was lagging behind and then all of a sudden she improved exponentially and just quickly out of nowhere. And so I think that with her proving that she's able to do that, she may be able to shock us with another quick improvement, especially in her striking, because her striking has improved a lot over the years too. So I think that if she's able to show that trend or follow that trend of her you know, kind of shooting a light here ahead in her game, I think that we'll be able to see her pull off the win, and I hope it's. I hope it's by submission. I love her jiu-jitsu. I hope that we're able to see a grappling chess match. That's my hope and that's honestly where I think most excitement will happen, because I just am not sure that striking will be the most exciting between these two, but, who knows, both of them go at it. So I'm not sure that striking will be the most exciting between these two, but, who knows, both of them go at it. So I'm really excited. Let me know what you guys think.
Speaker 1:And then now I want to go ahead and close up with a death scroll. You guys really enjoyed that. I was super happy because it was just something I had always kind of called it in my head um, just, with all of social media scrolling not just UFC and you know, mma news um, but to include it in this podcast just is so natural to me because, like I said, it's just something that I do or something that I think every time I'm scrolling. So now that I get to say it out loud, it's just fun, it just tickles that bone. So, yay, let's go ahead and jump into our death scrolls. So I'm gonna go ahead and choose mma junkie for this week. Let's see what they have to say. Of course, just something you notice right off the bat everyone's just so happy colby covington lost it. Just so many people are rejoicing in this beautiful holiday spirit. It's just great.
Speaker 1:Um looks like jake paul has something to say regarding the notorious connor mcgregor. Now it all makes sense why connor mcgregor and his management team have been desperately trying to get mvp to negotiate for a fight between us and and, as we told them privately and now saying it publicly, the only way we're willing to explore me versus Conor in a pro boxing MMA fight is if Dana White, ufc are at the table directly or make it clear they're okay with decisions, just discussions. Conor's washed needs the balls Logan by however he wants. Yeah, I mean true, true, I agree with the pauls. Hasn't been the first time. I wish it was the last time every time, but it's just not so. Uh, yeah, oh, another one, uh, another cool one dana white saying that Jon Jones versus Tama Aspinall will 100% happen, something we all knew, but like didn't know but knew but didn't know, but knew but didn't know. You know. So I feel like we'll all know when we see the fight announcement and the date booked.
Speaker 1:But I'm excited that there is such a workup or build up to it. It's going to be just a massive event. It is just going to. It's going to be insane. And the other fights that'll be on that card will just be sickening. So I'm super excited. Let's see what else do we have here israel adesanya versus Nazardini Mamov that'll be cool to see. I love any Israel Adesanya fight. Been a fan for a long time. I'll always be a fan. Let's see. Do you guys enjoy my theme music? Is it fun for you? Great, great, great, great. Let's see Sage Norcutt signs with pfl. Uh, that's minor news, let's see.
Speaker 1:Now I do want to go ahead and talk about real quick something that I want to do a whole independent episode on, and that is global fight league. But that will come out on a special occasion. So I am going to talk about that, I'm not just glazing over it. We are going to talk about Global Fight League, don't worry. Don't worry, I'm not worried. I'm excited and you should be too. So, yeah, that looks like all the crazy news that's happened lately. So that means that we are wrapping up today's episode.
Speaker 1:You guys, it was super fun to again just relax and talk fights with you guys to do another death scroll. Let me know if there are any other MMA news accounts that you guys have used before that you want me to go ahead and do a desk scroll on, but I do love doing that portion of the show and I'm glad that you guys liked it Again. I know I keep saying that it's just so cool to know that you guys are enjoying something that I have created for you, enjoying something that I have created for you. So, with all that said, thank you guys so much for listening Another week in this podcast.
Speaker 1:If you don't already follow me sorry, my dog is snoring If you don't already follow me, I'm on Instagram as Shay, my name with two Y's and shay, and then on x as shall and shay, and so go ahead and follow me on there. I'm also on patreon um at the as the clinch podcast. I'm in like a pink bandana. Um, those are just two dollar tiers. You have early episode access and just some other super cool stuff that I have in the works it'll you get. The tier is called the cornerman. So you guys are basically just in my corner helping me achieve everything that I would love to get achieved with this podcast. I would love to do so much within the mma community in jacksonville, and even further than that would be even better. So thank you guys so much if you do consider doing that and, if anything, just share it with friends. And that just wraps it up here with me. Guys, thank you so much for listening again and once again, thank you for joining me in the glitch. Thanks for watching.
