In the lead-up to UFC 303, former dual champion Henry Cejudo has been vocal about his admiration for undefeated bantamweight prospect Payton Talbott. Talbott, standing at 5-foot-10, boasts an impressive 8-0 record (2-0 in the UFC) and has caught the attention of fans and fighters alike.
The Talented Prospect
Cejudo, speaking on his “Pound 4 Pound” podcast with Kamaru Usman, highlighted Talbott’s strengths. The Arizona-based fighter possesses a well-rounded skill set, including excellent striking, takedowns, and submissions. Despite flying somewhat under the radar, Talbott’s talent has not gone unnoticed by the UFC.
“I’m gonna have to go with Payton Talbott, man,” Henry Cejudo said on his “Pound 4 Pound” podcast with Kamaru Usman. “He’s 5-foot-10, he’s undefeated, he’s a wreck, man. He’s mentally a strong kid, he’s been finishing people in the UFC. He’s come out to (Arizona), worked with me for a few days. The dude’s got crazy talent. He’s a prospect.
“He’s definitely like a high-profile prospect that’s kind of going under the radar, man. Really good striking, has takedowns, has submissions. We’re talking about a guy who’s well rounded, yet he is still growing, and I think there’s a reason why the UFC is putting him on this card.”
Dominant PerformancesH
Talbott’s most recent performance was a clinic against fellow unbeaten prospect Cameron Saaiman at UFC on ESPN 53. He finished Saaiman via second-round TKO, leaving oddsmakers impressed and pegging him as a significant favorite (-1600) in his upcoming bout against Yanis Ghemmouri at UFC 303.
Henry Cejudo’s Prediction
Henry Cejudo didn’t mince words when assessing Talbott’s potential impact. “This guy is a threat for any of us in the top 10,” Cejudo declared. As the bantamweight division continues to evolve, Talbott’s rise promises excitement and challenges for established contenders.
Keep an eye on Payton Talbott during UFC 303 – he’s a rising star with the skills to shake up the division. Whether he can live up to the hype remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Talbott is a name to remember in the world of MMA.