Payton Talbott

Payton Talbott is an American mixed martial artist competing in the UFC bantamweight division. Born September 9, 1998, in Las Vegas, Nevada, he grew up in Reno and trains at Reno Academy of Combat. Talbott stands 5 feet 10 inches tall, uses a switch stance and began training in mixed martial arts in 2017. He attended the University of Nevada, Reno, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2022.

Talbott built his early career through amateur competition before winning regional bantamweight titles and progressing to Dana White’s Contender Series. His victory over Reyes Cortez Jr. on the August 8, 2023 episode earned him a UFC contract. He made his UFC debut against Nick Aguirre on November 18, 2023, and later recorded notable UFC victories over Cameron Saaiman, Yanis Ghemmouri, Felipe Lima and former Olympic champion Henry Cejudo. The UFC lists Talbott as an active fighter and records his most recent completed bout as a unanimous-decision victory over Cejudo on December 6, 2025.

Talbott is known for a composed but aggressive approach, combining switch-stance striking with forward pressure and a willingness to exchange in the pocket. UFC coverage has described his calm demeanor and finishing ability as central parts of his appeal, while Talbott has said that he values demanding, entertaining fights. His listed training routine includes wrestling followed by striking and sparring, reflecting a style built around blending stand-up offense with grappling preparation.