The bantamweight division is anything but short of intriguing and exciting prospects, but few have captivated the fanbase’s interest the way Payton Talbott has since showing up on Dana White’s Contender Series in August 2023. The Nevada native fights with a fascinating style in the Octagon and comes off as a thoughtful presence outside of it. All told, and particularly after his win over Cameron Saaiman in March 2024, Talbott found himself as one of the hotter up-and-comers in the sport at just 25 years of age, one that skateboarding legend Tony Hawk just had to meet.
Nothing improves one’s stock like continuous winning, and Talbott can raise his tally of UFC wins to three when he faces Yanis Ghemmouri at UFC 303: Pereira vs Procházka 2 in Las Vegas.