Payton Talbott

Payton Anthony Talbott (born September 9, 1998) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2021, he earned his contract with the promotion after going through Dana White's Contender Series.

Background Payton Anthony Talbott was born on , in Las Vegas, Nevada, and grew up in Reno, Nevada. He is partly of African American and Choctaw descent. His mother is a plastic surgeon, and he has four siblings: one sister and three brothers. Before discovering mixed martial arts, Talbott played football and competitively wrestled while attending Reno High School.

Talbott graduated from the University of Nevada in 2022 with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a minor in music.

Mixed martial arts career Early career In 2017, Talbott started training in mixed martial arts at the Reno Academy of Combat. He chose to begin mixed martial arts classes when he saw Conor McGregor’s highlights while sitting at a restaurant, having stopped sports for his college studies.

Talbott made his professional debut on November 27, 2021, at FirePower 3: Magnum Force in Sacramento, California and finished his opponent in the second round. After a second technical knockout win at FirePower 4: Sudden Impact, he made his third fight at Urijah Faber's A1 Combat and won the A1 Combat Bantamweight Championship on May 28, 2022 in Wheatland, California, beating Hector Fajardo by technical knockout in the second round. Talbott won the fight via unanimous decision. This victory earned him a contract in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Talbott then made his promotional debut on November 18, 2023, facing Nick Aguirre at UFC Fight Night 232. He won the fight by submission in the third round via rear-naked choke.

For his second bout in the UFC, he faced Cameron Saaiman on March 23, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 53. He ended up winning the fight by technical knockout in round two. This victory earned him his first Performance of the Night bonus award.

Talbott faced French-Algerian fighter Yanis Ghemmouri on June 29, 2024, at UFC 303. He won the fight via knockout 19 seconds in the first round. This win earned him another Performance of the Night award.

Talbott faced Raoni Barcelos on January 18, 2025 at UFC 311. In a bout where he was largely controlled and outwrestled, he lost the fight by unanimous decision leading to his first loss in mixed martial arts.

Talbott faced Felipe Lima on June 28, 2025, at UFC 317. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Talbott faced former UFC Flyweight and Bantamweight Champion Henry Cejudo on December 6, 2025 at UFC 323. He won the fight by unanimous decision becoming the last fight of Henry Cejudo’s career.

Talbott is scheduled to face former UFC Flyweight Champion Deiveson Figueiredo on October 3, 2026, at UFC 332.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Professional Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (Two times) vs. Urijah Faber's A1 Combat A1 Combat Bantamweight Championship (One time) Two successful title defenses MMA Fighting 2024 Third Team MMA All-Star ESPN 2025 Most Improved Fighter

Amateur King of the Cage KOTC Amateur Bantamweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Win

Henry Cejudo Decision (unanimous) UFC 323

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Felipe Lima Decision (unanimous) UFC 317

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Raoni Barcelos Decision (unanimous) UFC 311

Inglewood, California, United States Win

Yanis Ghemmouri KO (punches) UFC 303

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Cameron Saaiman TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Ribas vs. Namajunas

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Nick Aguirre Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Craig

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Reyes Cortez Jr. Decision (unanimous) Dana White's Contender Series 57

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Cristhian Rivas TKO (punches and elbows) Urijah Faber's A1 Combat 9

Long Beach, California, United States Win

Anthony Jimenez TKO (flying knee and punches) Urijah Faber's A1 Combat 6

Commerce, California, United States Win

Hector Fajardo TKO (punches) Urijah Faber's A1 Combat 2

Wheatland, California, United States Win

Billy Brand TKO (punches) FirePower 4: Sudden Impact

Sacramento, California, United States Win

Abdikabyl Kaldar TKO (punches) FirePower 3: Magnum Force

Sacramento, California, United States Amateur record Win

Alex Gamez TKO (punch and head kick) KOTC: Future Legends 47

Reno, Nevada, U.S. Win

Cameron Sandoval Submission (rear-naked choke) KOTC: Future Legends 45

Reno, Nevada, U.S. Win

Taylor Cuisinot TKO (punches) KOTC: Future Legends 44

Reno, Nevada, U.S. Win

Joseph Lee TKO (punches) KOTC: Future Legends 41

Reno, Nevada, U.S. Win

Ernesto Villegas Submission (rear-naked choke) KOTC: Future Legends 40

Reno, Nevada, U.S.