Michael Chiesa is one of many in agreement that undefeated 25-year-old Payton Talbott has ‘superstar’ potential after his KO win over Cameron Saaiman.
On a night when the headlines were dominated by ‘biting’ bonuses and close decision victories, rising star Payton Talbott made the biggest statement on the card as he earned an outstanding second-round knockout at UFC Vegas 89.
Payton Talbott earns statement KO win at UFC Vegas 89
Despite being only 25 years old and having only one fight in the UFC, Payton Talbott fought like he was a 10-year veteran of the organization: dominating almost every single aspect of the bout against Cameron Saaiman last night at UFC Vegas 89.
It was a clash that many expected to be a razor-close affair with both Talbott and Saaiman being young and hungry prospects in the ever-competitive bantamweight division.
Yet it was anything but close when the cage door locked behind them, with Talbott showcasing some impressive skills in the clinch and on the feet before stopping Saaiman in the second round with a vicious left hand to ground and pound.
Fighters react to Talbott’s performance and his ‘superstar’ potential
Unsurprisingly, the MMA community is now boarding the Talbott hype train with many even predicting that we may have a future bantamweight title challenger on our hands.
Stating what many viewers were thinking, Michael Chiesa shared “Talbott has that ‘it’ factor,” before adding how the young athlete has “a lot of the right pieces that create a superstar when you put them together.”
Kenny Florian also praised both the performance of Talbott as well as the heart of the South African, writing: “Saaiman is tough as nails, crazy chin and toughness but Talbott was all over him after round 1. Not sure how Saaiman survived that knee/combos that followed.”
“Striking, range awareness, shot selection was on another level then Saaiman. Someone to watch for sure. Def has my attention now.”
Former light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill, who competes in just a few weeks at UFC 300, said: “This Cameron kid is tough asf! He should be sleep and man this Talbott kid is special!!”
Talbott is now 8-0 as a professional with six wins coming by KO/TKO, one by submission, and one via decision.
Talbott’s next step is getting out of the UFC Apex
Speaking at the post-fight press conference, Payton Talbott said that the most important goal for 2024 is getting out of the UFC Apex and in front of a roaring crowd.
“I want to fight in front of a crowd for sure, I think Madison Square Garden would be cool,” said the Nevada native.
When asked about his next potential opponent, Talbott didn’t have anyone particular in mind, as he instead hopes to slowly rise the rankings as he gains more octagon experience, but nevertheless still threw out one name: “I don’t really know too many people in my division so maybe like Dominick Cruz.”
When asked whether Talbott would be ranked in the Top 10 of the bantamweight division by the end of 2024, Kenny Florian agreed that a slower build might be the more natural way to go:
“Still young mma career. 8 fights? Could he? Probably but for long term success, a slower climb will help him stay there. No rush. He hates the comparison but that’s where O’Malley/team made good decisions for his fights as he moved up the ladder.”
Next week’s UFC event is thankfully out of the Apex and will be held at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, with the card headlined by Erin Blanchfield vs Manon Fiorot.