Large Heads, Big Bets, And Even Bigger Fight IQs

The downloads didn't stop, even while the mic was silent... and that surge pulled me right back into the studio! Tune in for a fast, heartfelt recap of a wild card. Also in this episode, I’m laying out what’s next for the show, including the long-requested fight picks segment! But first we will be diving into the moments that lit up the year’s final pay-per-view.

We start with Jalin Turner’s return against Edson Barboza, a call that Turner skillfully answered. Macy Barber’s performance against Karine Silva carried the same message: the UFC isn’t handing out tune-ups!

 From there, I peel back the bigger tension shaping every card: are matchups built on merit or market heat? It’s complicated, and I see both sides, especially as rising names get high-leverage opportunities that thrill fans and frustrate rankings...

Then we talk Peyton Talbott vs Henry Cejudo, a fun and high energy chess match where Talbott’s fight IQ popped in the scrambles. 

Brandon Moreno vs Tatsuro Taira blended charm and craft, while Alexandre Pantoja vs Joshua Van sparked a debate about fundamentals.

 Finally, Petr Yan vs Merab Dvalishvili delivered a masterclass in precision, where Yan’s footwork and timing shaped every exchange and forced Merab to problem-solve under fire.

If you love striking geometry, high-energy scrambles, and real talk about UFC matchmaking, this one’s for you! Hit play, share your fantasy rematch idea, and tell me where you land on merit vs marketing. Subscribe, rate, and drop a review so I can keep leveling up the show week after week!

Transcript

Turner Vs Barboza And Barber’s Return

UFC Matchmaking: Merit Or Marketing

Talbott Vs Cejudo: High-IQ Fun

Moreno Vs Taira: Joy And Heartbreak

Pantoja Vs Van Controversy

Jan’s Precision Against Dvalishvili

Wrap-Up And Listener Invite

SPEAKER_00 0:09

Welcome back to the freaking clinch podcast. You guys are honestly the best people in the entire planet because I really didn't think that I would be saying that so soon. But when I kept getting notifications from my podcast page about all the listeners every week, all the downloads every single week when I haven't recorded in months, it just pushed me so much to want to get back and really get back into this because I really do enjoy it. And I really am so appreciative that so many people enjoy this, even though I am the biggest biggest flake. So thank you guys for sticking with me and enjoying all my old episodes. I'm really excited about 2026. I already have the next episode planned out that I'm so, so, so excited for. And it's gonna be about all the fights in 2026 so far that I'm excited about. And I'm gonna also have some more fun with the podcast, and we'll do a pick segment. So I'm gonna do fight picks finally. A lot of people have asked me like over the years for my fight picks and if I'm gonna like talk about it on the episodes, and I usually do, but not to this extent that I'm going to take it. So I am really, really, really excited about that one. I'm very prepared, and I will try to do my best to not make you guys lose money, but all of my fight picks are going to be ended with a but I don't know. So that when you lose money, you can't blame me. Okay, so I'm gonna give you my fight picks, but then at the every segment, I'm gonna tell you, but I don't know. So just enjoy it. Let's have some more fun. And for this episode back, I just wanted to have a quick chat, kind of hash out the last pay-per-view of the year, Devilish Ville versus Jan. And like I said, it's going to be a short episode. So this first episode back, I won't bore you. And you know, I will work with your ADHD and give you just a short, quick chat. And I wanted to start off with Edson Barbosa versus Jalen Turner. I was so, so, so happy that Jalen Turner decided to return because I, and like most people, definitely felt like it was way too early for him to retire. We all kind of understood what was going on, though, and I totally get it. I haven't been in that position before, but I do get it. You know, he was probably just super mentally jaded with his trajectory. And I'm glad that he got his head on straight and just came back, came back strong against Edson Barbosa. So it wasn't just some, you know, easy fight back. Like he had to earn his way back in. And I'm so glad that he had the performance he did. I also love Edson Barbosa. So it was super sad, but I love that it was such a high energy first round. And Jalen Turner really just took advantage and reclaimed his place in the division. And I'm so excited to see how he does next. I pray that he continues on that mental path and keeps pushing himself and doesn't take, you know, down times as a sign to stop. You know, it's hills and valleys. So I'm so I'm so happy that that happened, as well as Macy Barber. I'm glad that she's all healed up and she came back looking pretty fresh, you know, no rust really that I personally, you know, saw. And Krin Silva is definitely a tough girl. And I'm really not surprised at how the fight went. Um, I do think that Macy Barber knew that she could have pulled out a bit more. I'm pretty sure she even said that in the post-fight interview. And I'm just glad that she's back and that she's still a threat because Corinne Silva, like I said, she's a tough girl. You know, she's like, you know, the previous fight I talked about, not an easy fight to come back to. You know, Dana White and Sean Shelby, they're really not allowing the fighters to get complacent anymore. I think that when he sees a fighter that wants to step on the gas, he really tests them. Or they both those men, whoever, you know, is involved in all the matchmaking, you know, they really want to, you know, pour some gas on the fire of these fighters and really get the the show money going and get these pay-per-view numbers up. I'm pretty sure because in Paramount, everything's going to be included. So, you know, they really want to get those gates up. And with these fighters that are coming up and having bigger names, I feel like they are doing okay. I feel half and half on this. So the first way I feel about this is I'm excited that these fighters are getting exciting fights and really raising the the bar, you know, raising the caliber of athletes that are in this organization. But on the other hand, I do see the side of people who think that, and the fighters who also think that the fights are being cherry-picked and they're not really going according to rankings and all of that. I totally see that as well. So it's kind of hard to pick a side on that particular issue because I've seen that topic floating around on social media. So I thought it would be important to address it, especially because I I do see both sides. So I wanted to kind of offer a dual perspective. So I want to know what you guys think. Let me know how you feel about how the fights are being picked right now. I know that you know, fighters such as Aldermaine Sterling have been super vocal about this issue. So I'm really curious to see what you guys think. And also, just a little side note, I am really sorry if you guys hear a difference in the quality. My equipment actually failed right before I was set to record this episode. So I'm kind of waiting on being able to, you know, get some new equipment because the wires messed up, the adapter is not working, the mic might even be old because it's the same mic that I've had since I started the podcast. So I am so, so sorry. Just bear with me. You know, keep listening. Please keep listening. The more you guys listen and share, the faster I am able to get this sounding nice and crisp and perfect for you guys. So back to business, we had Henry Sehuto versus Peyton Talbot. I have never really been much of a Henry Sohuto fan, just to be honest. Um, and I know that like, you know, he's like great and he's super talented and whatever. I just have never like he kind of scares me. Like, you know how you see people on TV and they may be short, but like they don't look short. You know, they you know, they look normal. He looks like scrappy do to me. Like, I'm so sorry. And you know what? Actually, I'm not even really sorry because I'm also short. So I'm like a part of the gang. You know, people have told me I kind of look like a bobblehead, you know, or you know, chihuahua. You know, I've gotten all the things, right? So I've just, and I hate that I'm that way. I wish that I could change that. Maybe I should go to therapy. You know, that is something that I need to heal from to be so afraid of this tiny man with a large head. And that be really the sole reason that I am not a fan. I am so sorry. I know that's so horrible. If Henry, you ever hear this? All love. I truly do respect you. It's all jokes. Um, don't sue me because you're mad. Um, I don't want another, I didn't get sued, but I don't want another Connor situation where I like made fun of him on Twitter and I was actually banned from Twitter. The OGs know. Like, I literally got banned from Twitter for for calling Connor McGregor a pansy. Like, isn't that a flower? I don't even know. I don't even know. He went and cried to Elon or whoever owned it at the time. But yeah, so I was still excited for this fight because I really do enjoy Peyton Talbot. And I think that just like with the three, the three, the two previous fights that I just talked about, um, is the same case with this fight, Peyton Talbot getting a fighter of the caliber that Henry Sehudo fights at. And so I thought that it was excellent, excellent, excellent matchmaking. And it was pretty even, like everyone saw. So it wasn't like this young kid just beat up Henry Sehudo. It was a really beautiful match. I really truly think it was um a fun chess game. Uh Peyton is incredibly fun to watch. He's so high energy. He has a intensely high fight IQ, I think. Um, you know, for for his his uh stage ending game, I would say. You know, I don't want people to think I'm saying that I think he's like he has the five highest fight IQ of all the fight. Like, no, like for his stage, I think it's very good. I think his fight IQ is great. He's very quick in his thinking. Um, he is able to be daring, just like his um, you know, him grappling with Henry and him being able to take him down. I think that was extremely daring of him to do. And he executed it so perfectly and made it fun. Like that whole, you know, bit with him like, you know, laughing and just being excited, like that is what excites me about fights so much, is when fighters are truly out there just having so much fun. I enjoy watching that with any person who's doing something that they love. It just like pours into my cup to see people doing something they love to the extent where they're like giddy about it. Like that's how you know that they are contributing to this like positive, you know, energy in the world to be able to just be like, okay, I'm doing what you know God gave me, you know, the ability to the ability to do, the gift to do, and I'm just gonna have fun with it. Like that is just the best. It's amazing. I love it. So I thought it was an amazing fight, super fun, one of my favorites of the night for sure. And then we go to my sadness. Uh, Brandon Moreno versus Tatsuro Taira. I love them both. I love them both. I think they're like they're both versions of the same person. Like they're both like so happy, go-lucky, and you know, just so smiley and you know, just very fun. They're just very, they're like little teddy bears, you know, just little tiny teddy bears, um, that are also UFC fighters, you know. So I was so sad that this fight was even booked, but I was also happy because I know, like, of course, it was an amazing matchup, just a really good opportunity for Moreno, unfortunately, didn't go his way. And I think he'll have other opportunities. This one was just really difficult because Tyra is so entertaining, and and he is one that I have been keeping my eyes on, and you know, I'm just so excited to see what else he does because his technique is so unique. It's just, it's very, uh, I don't know. It's just, I don't even know how to describe it really. And I I really I do have notes prepared. I promise you I do. But, you know, you know how I like to do things. You know, I just like to talk to you guys, just chat. I have tried the whole reading from a script for you guys before, and they have been like my least favorite episodes. And so even just writing my notes, I couldn't really describe what about Tyrus' technique that I like so much, but I think he just kind of looks like a ninja, and I love ninja movies, you know, I love uh just Asian combat, all of that stuff. So, you know, just seeing him move is like watching one of my favorite movies. And so, you know, I love just seeing it happen in that kind of capacity because it is a sport, you know, we watch pretty much every weekend. But then seeing someone fight with a style that's almost animated, which I think is probably the best word I can, now that I think about it, it's probably the best word that I can come up with is animated. And I love it, it's just so quick and sharp. And I'm really sorry that Marino was at the receiving end of Tyra's talent, but I know he'll be back, and we'll continue seeing more of Marino and more from Tyra super soon. Very sad, but what are you gonna do? It's the fight game. And the next one, of course, very controversial, Alexandra Bantoja versus Joshua Van. So ever since the fight happened, I've just been ruminating on what I think is the right thing that should have happened, or if I think the right thing did happen, you know, just looking at what people have said online, you know, watching the fight over myself. And I really, the first thing that I can say definitively is I believe that at the level that Pantoja is at, especially with his grappling background, he should know how to post himself. He should know how to do that because I know for a fact that is something I learned how to do the first time I ever put a ghee on. And I I've probably put a gi on like three times in my entire life, but I remember that. So I know for a fact that he should have known how to defend himself. It should have, and I'm sorry my voice keeps cracking. It's been a while. It's been a while. Mama stays home, works at home all day. So she don't really talk to people. And so my voice is probably trying to get used to talking so much. But but back to the point, I really do think that there's just something about your muscle memory that has to be there in situations like this. That's why fighters, when they put their hands down, they tend to get hit in the face. You know, that's just like ABC one, two, three is right there. And I feel like posting yourself up as you go down is one of those aspects that's highly dependent on your, you know, your muscle memory. You're just like your second nature. And I'm pretty sure that there's a better term to use for it. It's just not coming to my head right now. So drop it in the comments, my DMs, whatever, you know, because I know someone's going to. But aside from that little quip, I think that Joshua Van was, you know, putting a decent amount of pressure and it must have rattled Pantoja a bit. Maybe not. Maybe it really was just like a freak thing. But I do think that the fight still wouldn't have been easy for Pantoja. I think that it still would have been competitive and it would have also been an extreme challenge for Van as well. Um, more so a challenge for Van, in my opinion. Of course, we'll have to wait and see. But I think that his pressure is something that I really believe in. I really believe in the, you know, the pressure that he brings. Like I said, I was trying to find a better word, but he just, that boy got pressure. And um, yeah, I think that in the rematch, it could be like a Hall of Fame level fight. I really think that with just the skill level of both gentlemen, that this fight could genuinely be a explosive, like crazy, insane Hall of Famer. So I'm so excited for that to get rebooked, even though I know it might be a minute. And it was just nasty, it was super gross to see. I I don't even want to think about it. But yeah, um, thumbs up to both of them. I I am not sure what's gonna happen. I'm I feel like it's it's gonna be Joshua Van uh versus Tatsura Tyra next. Uh, but we'll see. We'll see what happens. And then of course, we have Mirab Deval Shvili versus Peter, Piotr Jan. I was super excited for this fight, and of course it delivered. I think that honestly, Jan's performance was near perfect. Just he just has that footwork, that technique, that stance that is so uh textbook, clean, sharp, almost robotic. And not in like a stiff way, but just in an in I don't even know. It's just so he's he's so sharp mentally with his striking. And for Mirab to look how he did, which he didn't look like a fool or anything, he you know held his own, but he really seemed like the mental chess game, the uh athletic chess game that was going on in the octagon was just stumping Marab. Like he I could see and see it on his face a few times that he really was just kind of mentally blocked. And it really is just a hard time kind of matching Jan's fight IQ when he's putting that kind of pressure on you. And obviously Jan's had you know some slip ups, you know, over the recent years, but with this kind of precision that he exhibited during that fight, I really don't see another fight going a different way. You know, I don't see the next fight really uh turning out. Any differently. But then again, I do always underestimate Marab. Like I always kind of go against him, not because I dislike him or anything, but just because I'm someone who kind of likes a little sparkle, you know, in there in my like and like the people that I'm a fan of. I don't really know how to describe it. I don't want to call them like idols, because I'm I definitely don't idolize anyone, but like the fighters that I am a fan of, they tend to be very in your face, very fun, you know, just very entertaining. And I don't see that with Murab. So that's what I know to be the reason I underestimate him so much. So keep that in mind when I start giving you all my fight picks, you know, because I don't know. I don't know. Don't ask me. I'm gonna tell you, but don't ask me, okay? I'm giving you my picks, but don't ask me for my picks, okay? Um, so yeah, I really I was super surprised by this fight. I didn't anticipate Jan being so dominant. Um, and not dominant in the sense of like other fights where you know the opponent is just doing nothing. It was just that he was just smarter, faster, quicker in every exchange. So any next fights are going to be pretty much the same. I don't know, but we'll see. I guess we'll see how won't we? Uh so that I think I'm just gonna end it there. I have some other stuff I want to talk about, but I will save it for the next episode because our quick little chat will turn into a 30, 40 minute, 30, 40, five-minute chat. And so I don't want to do that to you guys when I said we're just gonna have a quick chat. So I will catch you guys next time. Thank you so, so, so much for just loving this podcast along with me and always asking me about it and for listening to the episode, sharing it. If you found this on your own, please tell me how. I would love to know. Um, I'm so happy. I'm just so happy to be back talking to you guys, and I can't wait to catch you next time. In the meantime, have some fun. Don't withdraw from bites too much, and I will, like I said, for the third time, catch you next time.