LAS VEGAS – Payton Talbott beat Nick Aguirre with a third-round submission Saturday on the main card at UFC Fight Night 232 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Take a look inside the fight with Talbott, a Dana White’s Contender Series product who won his UFC debut.
Nick Aguirre vs. Payton Talbott
Result: Payton Talbott def. Nick Aguirre via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 0:58
Updated records: Talbott (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Aguirre (7-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
Key stats: Talbott has six of his seven wins by stoppage, but the submission of Aguirre was the first tapout of his pro career.
Talbott on the fight's key moment
“He held me down the whole first round. I wasn’t too concerned with getting up because I was over by my corner and I could hear him just huffing and puffing the whole time he was on my back. I felt that he was wasting a lot of energy and I wasn’t really expending much. So first round, you can have my back. You can lay on me for a little bit. But as soon as I got up, I was pissed and frustrated and I’m going to end the fight eventually.
“… I looked at him right before the third round started and I (motioned) like breaking a stick – I knew he was broken and I knew the finish was going to come in that round, and I think he was looking for a little bit of a way out after I was landing some big shots. He turned his back and his neck was there, so I took it.”
Talbott on his first pro submission
“I know how to wrestle. I know jiu-jitsu. I just don’t prefer to do it, and I don’t like to finish fights with submissions. It’s just a preference. But I know how to do all of it.”
Talbott on Aguirre blocking him on social media
“Nick, if you’re watching this, please unblock me on Instagram. Beginning of the camp, he just blocked me on Instagram – my opponent. I don’t really talk too much crap, but I just wanted to get a feel for the guy, and he blocked me. So now, since the beef is squashed, if you could unblock me, that would be great. Maybe we could be friends. Seems like a cool dude.”
Talbott on what he wants next
“I might just take the holidays to get back in the gym and polish up some things and relax, let some nicks and bruises heal since I’ve had some injuries throughout the year. Before that Contender Series fight, I tore part of my trap in a motorcycle crash. I’ve kept pretty quiet about it, but my body’s been through the ringer a little bit. But I’ll be back soon. Just (let me fight) a striker – somebody that wants to have some fun on the feet. That’s all I ask.”
To hear more from Talbott, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 232.
