The Level Change Podcast · Combat Sports news variety show usually previewing or reviewing the latest UFC event while covering the latest news in combat sports.

How far is too far when hyping a fight?

·46 min·3 clips

"Sean Strickland's got to be the luckiest man alive" because this title shot came after a December loss.

1. The Level Change Podcast episode 260 centers on UFC Paris, UFC 293, and the question of how far fight hype should go. 2. Steffi Haines and Victor Rodriguez host the episode, and their fight-card analysis matters because they give picks, rankings talk, and matchup context. 3. The episode asks how Sean Strickland ended up in a title fight with Israel Adesanya and whether the promotion around him has gone too far. 4. Cyril Gane's win over Sergei Spivak leads the UFC Paris discussion, with both hosts focusing on Spivak's poor timing and inability to get inside. 5. They say Gane looked good, but they also question how much can be learned from a fight in which Spivak looked so far below his recent form. 6. Manon Fior's win over Rose Namajunas becomes a judging conversation, especially around a 30-27 score and a last round they thought Rose won. 7. They note Rose Namajunas started slowly, adjusted over the first two rounds, and fought with a broken hand from the first round. 8. Aaron Blanchfield enters the conversation as a likely next opponent for Fior, with the hosts discussing wrestling, cardio, and grappling defense. 9. Benoit St. Denis's knockout of Tiago Moises gets a quick positive reaction, with Tiago described as exceptionally tough. 10. Volkan Ozdemir's win over Bogdan Guskov is framed as another example of a veteran fighter looking resurgent when the matchup breaks his way. 11. Farid Basharat's submission over Clitson Rodriguez stands out for its arm triangle, and the hosts praise the Basharat brothers' smart approach. 12. UFC 293 at Kudos Bank Arena in Sydney becomes the next major focus, and the card is described as stronger in entertainment value than in depth. 13. Carlos Ulberg versus Da Woon Jung is treated as a likely Ulberg win because of Ulberg's speed, explosiveness, and ability to outwork opponents in the clinch. 14. Anton Turkalj versus Tyson Pedro is called an ugly paper matchup, but the hosts still expect a swing-heavy fight and lean toward Pedro. 15. Justin Taffa versus Austin Lane is discussed as a rematch after their 29-second no contest from an eye poke, and both hosts favor Taffa. 16. Manel Kape versus Felipe Dos Santos is presented as a levels-of-experience fight, with Kape's wins over David Dvorak, Zhalgas Zhumagulov, Ode' Osbourne, Kai Asakura, and Takeru Mizugaki carrying the pick. 17. Alexander Volkov versus Tai Tuivasa is treated as a classic power-versus-methodical technique matchup, with Volkov's jab, range, and improved all-around game favored over Tuivasa's knockout threat. 18. The tone stays conversational and opinionated, with quick back-and-forth debate, profanity, and repeated comparison of records, styles, and matchmaking quality. 19. Listeners who follow UFC matchmaking, rankings, and fight picks will like this episode. 20. Casual fans who want only polished interviews or deep storytelling may skip it.

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