Hello, mixed martial artist fans! If you love following the MMA and admire world-class, Payton Talbott is a name you’ll recognize instantly. Payton Talbott has quickly become one of the most exciting names in UFC bantamweight. At 27 years old in 2026, he’s ranked #11 and boasts an 11-1 pro record with massive knockout power.
Payton Talbott’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Payton Anthony Talbott |
| Nickname | No known nickname (just Payton Talbott) |
| Born | September 9, 1998 |
| Age | 27 years old |
| College | University of Nevada, Reno |
| Degree | Bachelor’s in Psychology, Minor in Music |
| Religion | N/A |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5’10” (177.8 cm) |
| Turned Pro | November 27, 2021 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $600,000+ |
| Salary Range | $28,000 – $64,500+ per fight base pay (increasing with each bout) |
| Spouse | Not married |
| Relationship Status | Single |
| Instagram Profile | @paytontalbott |
Early Career
Payton Talbott kicked off MMA training in 2017 at Reno Academy of Combat after watching Conor McGregor highlights. Just 7-8 months later, he debuted as an amateur in King of the Cage Future Legends events starting March 2018. He went 5-0 undefeated, all finishes (3 TKOs, 2 subs), snagging the KOTC Amateur Bantamweight title twice. That 100% finish rate set him up perfect for turning pro.
Professional Career
Talbott turned pro on November 27, 2021, TKO’ing Abdikabyl Kaldar in round 2 at FirePower 3. He followed with another TKO over Billy Brand at FirePower 4, then hit big time at A1 Combat 2 on May 28, 2022, winning the bantamweight belt via TKO against Hector Fajardo in round 2. He defended it twice: flying knee TKO on Anthony Jimenez (Oct 2022) and TKO on Cristhian Rivas (March 2023). On Dana White’s Contender Series August 2023, he decisioned Reyes Cortez Jr. to earn his UFC spot.
UFC debut November 2023: subbed Nick Aguirre in round 3. He TKO’d Cameron Saaiman (March 2024, Performance of the Night), obliterated Yanis Ghemmouri in 19 seconds (June 2024, another POTN and third-fastest bantamweight KO ever). First loss came January 2025 to Raoni Barcelos by decision at UFC 311 after getting wrestled hard. Bounced back with decisions over Felipe Lima (UFC 317, June 2025) and Henry Cejudo (UFC 323, Dec 2025), ending Cejudo’s career. Now 11-1, #11 ranked, with 7 KOs, 1 sub, 3 decisions. He’s added MMA Fighting All-Star nod and ESPN Most Improved in 2025.
Payton Talbott’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Payton Talbott’s net worth sits around $600,000, built from UFC pay, pre-UFC titles, and growing sponsorships. His fight earnings have jumped from debut $12k-$16k (with $4k bonus vs Aguirre) to $30k-$48k base now, hitting $64k+ in recent bouts like vs Lima, plus Performance bonuses twice. With 11 pro wins and top-15 status, expect it to climb fast with more PPVs and deals.
Fight Purses
| Opponent | Event | Date | Base Purse | Win Bonus | Total Earnings |
| Nick Aguirre | UFC Fight Night 232 | Nov 18, 2023 | $12,000 | $4,000 (incentive) | ~$16,000 |
| Cameron Saaiman | UFC on ESPN 53 | Mar 23, 2024 | $24,000 | $24,000 | $48,000 |
| Yanis Ghemmouri | UFC 303 | Jun 29, 2024 | $30,000 | $30,000 | $60,000 |
| Raoni Barcelos | UFC 311 | Jan 18, 2025 | $28,000 | $0 (lost) | $28,000 |
| Felipe Lima | UFC 317 | Jun 28, 2025 | $30,000 | $30,000 | $60,000 |
| Henry Cejudo | UFC 323 | Dec 6, 2025 | ~$64,500 (estimated) | ~$64,500 | ~$129,000 |
Endorsements
Talbott’s growing star power has attracted several sponsors and brand partnerships. His endorsement game is still developing compared to veteran fighters, but he’s already aligned with some notable names:
- Family First Chiropractic – Based in Reno, this wellness brand aligns with his health-focused lifestyle
- Reno Academy of Combat – His home gym and training facility
- PROBAR – Nutrition and performance fuel products
- Tenore – Merchandise collaboration launched in January 2025
- Various UFC sponsor brands – As a UFC athlete, he benefits from promotional partnerships and gear sponsors
His social media presence, particularly Instagram with over 330K followers, makes him an attractive partner for brands targeting the 18-35 MMA demographic.
Career Records
| Result | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round/Time | Notes |
| Win | Henry Cejudo | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC 323 | Dec 6, 2025 | 3 rounds (5:00) | Biggest win to date |
| Win | Felipe Lima | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC 317 | Jun 28, 2025 | 3 rounds (5:00) | Return to win column |
| Loss | Raoni Barcelos | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC 311 | Jan 18, 2025 | 3 rounds (5:00) | First professional loss |
| Win | Yanis Ghemmouri | KO (Punches) | UFC 303 | Jun 29, 2024 | 1 round (0:19) | 3rd fastest UFC BW KO |
| Win | Cameron Saaiman | TKO (Punches) | UFC on ESPN 53 | Mar 23, 2024 | 2 round (0:21) | Performance of the Night |
| Win | Nick Aguirre | Submission (RNC) | UFC Fight Night 232 | Nov 18 |
FAQs
1. How did Payton Talbott get into MMA?
Payton Talbott discovered mixed martial arts at age seventeen when he randomly saw Conor McGregor fight highlights at a sushi restaurant. Having grown bored after high school sports ended, he became fascinated by the sport and started training at Reno Academy of Combat. After just seven to eight months of serious training, his coach suggested he make an amateur debut. He excelled as an amateur with a perfect 5-0 record before turning professional in 2021.
2. What is Payton Talbott’s fighting style and strengths?
Talbott is known for explosive striking power, particularly in his hands, combined with excellent footwork and timing. He’s demonstrated knockout power across his career, but is more than just a striker—he’s shown legitimate submission and wrestling skills, as evidenced by his submission victories and increasingly solid defensive wrestling. His fighting style is described as unpredictable and creative, with strong fight intelligence and the ability to adapt mid-fight.
3. Is Payton Talbott related to the Cejudo family?
No, Payton Talbott is not related to Henry Cejudo. They competed against each other at UFC 323 in December 2025, with Talbott winning via unanimous decision. The shared last name is coincidental.
4. What is Payton Talbott’s nationality and ethnicity?
Payton Talbott is an American fighter of mixed heritage, specifically African American and Choctaw descent. He was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, and grew up in Reno, Nevada. He takes pride in his connection to the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
5. Does Payton Talbott have any children?
Based on available public information, Payton Talbott has no confirmed children. He maintains a relatively private personal life and has not publicly announced any children.
6. How much does Payton Talbott weigh during fights and at his normal weight?
Payton Talbott competes in the UFC bantamweight division at 135-136 pounds. His fighting weight is around 135-136 pounds, and he maintains a height of 5’10” with a reach of 70-70.5 inches, giving him excellent leverage in the bantamweight division where most fighters are shorter.
7. What is Payton Talbott’s educational background?
Payton Talbott earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in music from the University of Nevada, Reno, graduating in 2022. Remarkably, he earned his degree while simultaneously building a professional MMA career, demonstrating significant time management and intellectual dedication alongside his athletic pursuits.
8. What is Payton Talbott’s relationship with Frank Ocean?
Payton Talbott and Frank Ocean developed a friendship beginning in summer 2024 after they connected following International Fight Week. They have spent time together and appeared on each other’s social media, and Frank Ocean has attended some of Talbott’s UFC fights. Talbott has described their relationship as a friendship based on mutual respect for each other’s respective careers, and he maintains privacy about specific details of their personal relationship.
9. Where does Payton Talbott train?
Payton Talbott trains at Reno Academy of Combat in Reno, Nevada, under head coach Rick Collup. He has remained loyal to this gym throughout his entire MMA career, beginning his training there in 2017 and continuing his professional development there while training against multiple weight classes to develop diverse fighting skills.
10. What are Payton Talbott’s hobbies and interests outside of fighting?
Outside the octagon, Payton Talbott is a skateboard enthusiast who enjoys cliff jumping, climbing, and extreme sports activities. He’s passionate about music and maintains an extensive vinyl record collection featuring artists like The Doors, Pink Floyd, Neil Young, Tupac Shakur, and the Bee Gees. He also creates content on YouTube and Instagram, where he shares aspects of his training, lifestyle, and unique personality. He’s known for his distinctive personal style, including nail art and unconventional fashion choices that have made him a crossover celebrity beyond typical MMA audiences.