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.

Sean Strickland wanted to 'humble' Machine Gun Kelly

·31 min·2 clips

Victor asks, “Who is Danny Barlow? Who is Oban Elliott?” while criticizing UFC 298’s pay-per-view undercard.

1. The Level Change Podcast episode 281 focuses on UFC 298 and how the card is built around its main card and featured prelim. 2. Steffi Haines hosts with Victor Rodriguez, and their fight previews matter because they frame the card through betting, matchmaking, and live-viewing value. 3. The episode asks whether UFC 298 gives fans enough quality for an $86-plus pay-per-view plus an ESPN subscription. 4. Steffi says the card is “very, very top heavy,” and Victor agrees that the undercard does not offer much excitement. 5. Victor names Danny Barlow, Oban Elliott, Brendson Ribeiro, and Mingyang Zhang as examples of pay-per-view undercard fillers. 6. Steffi and Victor argue that the UFC is offering a “paywall within a paywall” for viewers. 7. They criticize the placement of Andrea Lee vs. Miranda Maverick as the opener for the main card. 8. They also debate whether Amanda Lemos vs. Mackenzie Dern should have been used to open the card instead. 9. Victor calls Josh Quinlan, Justin Tafa, and Rinya Nakamura among the few undercard names worth attention. 10. The discussion of Rinya Nakamura vs. Carlos Vera includes a debate about whether Vera is a showcase opponent or simply a regional fighter. 11. The Lemos-Dern breakdown centers on Amanda Lemos’ harder early pace and better phone-booth striking. 12. Steffi says Mackenzie Dern has worked with Henry Cejudo and Jason Perrillo, but she still has trouble carrying those lessons into fights. 13. Victor says Dern “abandons everything she learns” when she feels pressure. 14. Steffi says she trusts Lemos more because Dern’s results have looked like “throwing a dart” over multiple UFC fights. 15. The Roman Kopylov vs. Anthony Hernandez discussion highlights Kopylov’s striking, durability, and progress from fight to fight. 16. The Merab Dvalishvili vs. Henry Cejudo segment leans heavily on age, wear, and cardio as reasons to favor Merab. 17. The Geoff Neal vs. Ian Machado Garry preview focuses on Garry’s range, distance management, and ability to blend kicks with top control. 18. The Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa breakdown turns on Whittaker’s adjustments and Costa’s inconsistent recent performances. 19. The tone is conversational, argumentative, and technical, with Steffi and Victor frequently interrupting each other and trading picks. 20. Listeners who follow UFC matchmaking, betting lines, and detailed fight analysis will get the most from this episode.

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