Payton Talbott delivered the biggest win of his career with a dominant three-round performance over former two-division champion Henry Cejudo at UFC 323. The rising star outworked the veteran from start to finish, showing superior speed, accuracy and composure as he controlled every major moment of the fight. The victory marks a significant step forward for the young contender as he continues his climb up the bantamweight rankings.
Talbott Overwhelms a Legend
From the opening exchanges, Payton’s youth, speed and fluid striking exposed the sharp decline in Cejudo’s athleticism. Although Cejudo found occasional pockets of success, he looked a step behind throughout the contest. Talbott’s precision and fluid combinations consistently disrupted Cejudo’s offence and prevented him from mounting any meaningful response.
The young contender produced the fight’s defining moments. In round two, he dropped Cejudo with a clean shot that sent the former champion scrambling. Talbott also secured three takedowns on the Olympic wrestler throughout the fight, an achievement few expected. By the end of the bout, Payton had landed 156 total strikes compared with Cejudo’s 77, a stark illustration of the gap between them.
Cejudo showed heart, but the younger fighter set a pace he could not match. Talbott’s control, composure and confidence made the difference.
Cejudo Retires After a Historic Career
After the fight, Henry Cejudo announced his retirement, bringing to a close an extraordinary career that places him among the most decorated athletes in combat sports history.
He captured the flyweight title by defeating Demetrious Johnson, one of the greatest champions the sport has seen. He then defended the belt against T. J. Dillashaw before moving up to claim the bantamweight championship with a stoppage win over Marlon Moraes, becoming one of the few fighters to hold UFC belts in two divisions.
Although his final chapter ended in defeat, Cejudo leaves the sport as a guaranteed future inductee into the UFC Hall of Fame.
A Bright Future for Payton Talbott
For Payton, this victory marks the biggest step of his career so far. He beat the No. 10-ranked fighter in the division and did so in dominant fashion. His speed, striking variety and surprising success in wrestling against a former Olympic champion showed that he is already a complete threat.
Now the question becomes: who is next?
Two options stand out.
Marlon Vera, currently ranked eighth and riding a three-fight losing streak, would offer Talbott an experienced but dangerous test. While Vera appears to be on the decline, Talbott is rising quickly, which makes the matchup compelling. Vera would view the fight as a chance to re-establish himself as a contender and derail the hype surrounding Talbott. Meanwhile, Talbott would look to prove he is a true contender by defeating a seasoned UFC veteran.
Cory Sandhagen, ranked fourth and a recent title challenger, represents a much tougher path. Sandhagen has consistently competed against the division’s elite and remains one of the most creative and unpredictable fighters at bantamweight. A win over someone of his calibre would launch Talbott toward the very top of the rankings and almost certainly secure him a title shot.
The Division Moves Forward
Cejudo’s departure and Talbott’s emergence highlight the changing landscape at bantamweight. A legend has stepped aside, and a new contender has arrived with momentum and promise. If Talbott continues this trajectory, a future title shot feels less like a question and more like an inevitability.
Below you can watch the highlights of Cejudo vs Talbott:
