At 9-0 as a professional and still only 25 years old, the sky is the limit for undefeated UFC bantamweight hopeful Payton Talbott.
Following his viral KO win at UFC 303 this weekend, the superstar-in-the-making not only called his shot for a fight against a popular 17-5 veteran of the division but also teased that he’ll face bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley within the next 24 months.
Payton Talbott continues ascent into superstardom at UFC 303
After bursting onto the global MMA scene in 2023, undefeated phenom Payton Talbott continues his ascent towards superstardom as he earned a stunning 19-second knockout of Yanis Ghemmouri at UFC 303.
Ironically, Talbott actually revealed that the viral KO felt “a little bittersweet” as he wanted to add more octagon time to his resume – luckily, the 25-year-old had a callout locked and loaded after the viral KO, fan-favorite brawler and veteran of the UFC, Adrian Yanez.
When asked what he thinks of making his mark in such a talent-rich division, Talbott told Joe Rogan that the feeling is “electric” before calling out the 17-5 Yanez.
“It feels like all my dreams are coming true and everything I believed is just in front of my hands now… Yeah so, Adrian Yanez – let’s see if you belong in that Top 20. I know I feel like I belong there, so I think that’s a good fight for me.”
Speaking to the media, Talbott later explained “I just think that’s a dogfight, he’s a tough fight and we would put on a really good show, it’d be fireworks so I’m all for it.”
He added that he’d like to face Yanez in the UFC octagon before the end of 2024.
“I like that callout because that’s a fight, like that’s a good fight and that’s what I’m here for. He’s a stud, I respect him, and I think we could put on a pretty good show. Maybe I catch him at the end of the year.”
Payton Talbott plots route to the UFC title will take two years
Following his 19-second knockout at UFC 303, Talbott spoke to the media about not only his stellar performance at the T-Mobile Arena but also his potential route to the bantamweight world championship.
When asked how many fights it would take before he enters that upper echelon of talent at 135lbs, the 9-0 prospect simply acknowledged that “I don’t know, that’s kind of hard to say. You guys are the professionals, you probably know better than I do.”
Yet if he keeps on track and continues to earn statement wins in big opportunities, especially on PPV cards rather than at The Apex, a clash with superstar champion ‘Suga’ Sean O’Malley isn’t just a possibility, it’s inevitable.
“I think if we both keep doing our job though, if I do and he does, then I’m sure we’ll see each other eventually – probably within the next two years.”
Given both his outstanding finishing capabilities, brash personality, and unique style, it’s no surprise that fans and family have long been comparing Talbott to the UFC bantamweight champion.
“I’ve gotten used to it,” admitted Talbott, adding how “It’s whatever, I don’t think we’re super similar but I kind of get it – I know what people are doing.
“I don’t really have an answer [on my ceiling] until I fight in the Top 20 and see how I do and how well I do [but] it’s kind of hard to say right now.
“I hope that I just showed the bantamweight division that I got some power in these hands and that I’m coming, slowly but surely.”
We’ll have to wait and see whether the UFC opts to put Talbott together with Yanez next – Adrian Yanez doesn’t have his next fight officially announced and is coming off a first-round finish of Vinicius Salvador.