Ali Akbar RosadyLas Vegas, NV – A unique narrative is set to unfold in the bantamweight division as rising prospect Payton Talbott prepares to face Olympic gold medalist and former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo at UFC 323. The highly anticipated main card matchup, scheduled for Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, pits a young contender against a decorated veteran, a contest made even more intriguing by a prior mentorship between the two athletes. Talbott has revealed that he previously received what he describes as "career-changing" advice from Cejudo, adding a layer of personal history to their impending clash.
The booking of this fight has generated considerable discussion, particularly given Cejudo’s recent struggles and Talbott’s burgeoning career. For Talbott, the opportunity to face a fighter of Cejudo’s caliber was unexpected but irresistible. "I was a bit surprised the UFC went in this direction with the matchmaking, but there was no way he could turn it down," Talbott stated, acknowledging the significance of stepping into the octagon with a fighter often referred to as "Triple C" due to his Olympic gold medal in wrestling and UFC titles in two weight classes.
Henry Cejudo (16-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC), at 37 years old, is embarking on what many speculate could be his final professional mixed martial arts bout. His illustrious career includes capturing the UFC Flyweight Championship in 2018 by defeating Demetrious Johnson and subsequently claiming the Bantamweight Championship against Marlon Moraes in 2019, making him one of only four simultaneous two-division champions in UFC history. Cejudo initially retired from the sport after successfully defending his bantamweight title against Dominick Cruz at UFC 249 in May 2020. His hiatus lasted three years before he returned to active competition.
Since ending his retirement, Cejudo’s comeback trail has been challenging. He first returned to face then-bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling at UFC 288 in May 2023, where he dropped a split decision in a highly competitive contest. Following this, he suffered another decision loss to top contender Merab Dvalishvili, a fighter known for his relentless pace and grappling dominance. Most recently, Cejudo was defeated by Song Yadong in the main event of UFC Mexico City in February, marking his third consecutive loss since returning to the sport. These recent setbacks have placed Cejudo at a critical juncture in his career, making the fight against Talbott a potential farewell performance.
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Payton Talbott (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC), 27, represents the new wave of talent in the bantamweight division. He emerged from Dana White’s Contender Series as a highly-touted prospect, showcasing impressive finishing abilities early in his professional career. Talbott quickly dispatched his first three opponents within the UFC, demonstrating a potent striking game and an aggressive approach. However, he encountered his first professional setback earlier this year, suffering a unanimous decision loss to veteran Raoni Barcelos at UFC 322 in January. Talbott rebounded strongly with an impressive unanimous decision victory over Felipe Lima at UFC 317 in June, reaffirming his potential within the division.
The backstory between Talbott and Cejudo adds a compelling psychological dimension to the upcoming fight. Talbott revealed that their paths crossed prior to Cejudo’s fight with Merab Dvalishvili. "We hung out together for a couple days straight," Talbott told MMA Fighting. "He gave me a lot of like career-changing advice and tried to mentor me quite a bit because, I mean, he was supposed to retire. It was leading up to his Merab fight, he was supposed to retire after that, so it was like, we’re never going to fight each other, and here we are."
The advice imparted by Cejudo touched on several critical aspects of a professional fighter’s life, extending beyond the physical demands of the sport. Talbott elaborated on the nature of this counsel: "He gave me a lot [of advice] actually. Without getting too specific, it was just, you know, how to structure your camp to mimic competition, in terms of mentality, what the body can take and just how important it is to have security outside of fighting – which I always knew, but he just had his whole life based around long-term security, like financial security."
Cejudo’s emphasis on financial acumen resonated deeply with Talbott, highlighting a crucial, often overlooked, aspect of a fighter’s longevity and well-being. "He seemed to be very, very adamant about like, ‘You have no idea what’s going to come later on in life. You always need to make sure you’re good financially because everyone will try to f*ck you.’ And yeah, it takes somebody telling you that and seeing it to really know, and now I’m in a position where he was really trying to do right with by me, and he was right." This candid advice underscores the often precarious financial realities faced by athletes, even at the elite level, and Cejudo’s experience as a long-time professional clearly informed his warnings.
Despite Cejudo’s reputation for engaging in playful taunts and psychological warfare during fight weeks, Talbott expressed confidence in his ability to remain composed, citing their prior familiarity. "We kind of know each other," Talbott noted. "We’re pretty familiar, so it would take a lot to like really surprise me, I think, and I think he knows that. So we’ll see what happens because I’m pretty chill, but yeah, I don’t know. I’m also interested to see what happens during fight week." This suggests that Talbott is prepared for any mental games Cejudo might attempt, potentially neutralizing one of the veteran’s strategic tools.
From a matchmaking perspective, Talbott had initially anticipated a ranked opponent after his recent victory. He indicated that several ranked fighters had turned down opportunities to face him. However, the offer to fight Cejudo, despite the latter’s recent record, presented a unique and undeniable opportunity. For Talbott, this fight is more than just climbing the rankings; it’s a chance to test his mettle against a living legend.
"I think it’s amazing, [and] that’s a big reason of why I took this fight," Talbott affirmed. "I think you’re not really gonna get an opportunity like this again, and I’m not really here to try to get the belt and pick my way up to the top. Like I just want to fight the toughest dudes and somebody like Henry is just a special person in my weight class and that kind of legacy, I’m not really going to find anywhere else right now. So I want to see what I can do in there. I want to see what I’m made of in there a little bit with a stud like that. I want to see what I got in me."
The prospect of potentially being Cejudo’s final opponent is also a significant motivator for Talbott. This role carries a certain historical weight within the sport, offering a rare chance to be part of a pivotal moment in a legendary career. "It’s an honor [to be his final opponent]. That’s also why I was so for the fight, because it’s just, it’s very rare that you get to do that, and to walk somebody out of their love and passion, and what they do in life, it’s an honor because he’s going to show up in that fight unlike how he’s ever shown up before. And I think I’m all about ringing them like a wet rag and getting every last drop out, so I think that that is going to be entirely possible in the fight because it is likely his last one."
The bantamweight division remains one of the most competitive in the UFC, boasting a deep roster of skilled athletes. While Cejudo’s recent form suggests a decline, his experience, Olympic-level wrestling, and striking acumen cannot be underestimated. For Talbott, a victory over a name like Cejudo, regardless of his current standing, would significantly elevate his profile and fast-track his ascent toward the top of the division. Conversely, for Cejudo, a win could provide a triumphant conclusion to an unparalleled career, while a loss would likely solidify his decision to step away from active competition for good. The intersection of mentorship, legacy, and ambition ensures that the bantamweight clash at UFC 323 will be one of the most closely watched encounters of the night.
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