Payton Talbott Hands Legend Final Loss at UFC 323
In a fight that was as much about nostalgia and violence as it was about the arrival of a new contender, Payton Talbott scored the biggest performance of his young career by defeating Henry Cejudo via unanimous decision at UFC 323. For Cejudo, the bout marked the final chapter in a storied run that spanned Olympic glory and two UFC titles. For Talbott, it was a breakthrough moment against a fighter he once trained beside and deeply admired. Their three-round clash inside Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena was fast, brutal, and symbolic of MMA’s constant shift toward the next generation.
Talbott dominated from bell to bell, earning clean 30-27 scorecards across the board, leaving Cejudo bloodied but unbroken. The result wasn’t wholly unexpected, but the fashion in which he secured it – featuring takedowns, sharp striking, and a rapid pace – made one thing clear: the 27-year-old prospect is ready for the next tier of competition.
Talbott’s Statement Win and His Path Toward Contention
Talbott entered UFC 323 with hype, but he left it with legitimacy. This dangerous striker and overall raw athlete surprisingly opened the fight by scoring two takedowns on the Olympic gold medalist. His reach and composure helped him dictate range, while his willingness to mix in some grappling and body attacks kept Cejudo from ever settling into his rhythm.
As the rounds wore on, Talbott’s confidence continued to soar, as did the damage output. He consistently tagged Cejudo with clean strikes, swelling and bloodying the veteran’s right eye by the end of the second round. Even when Cejudo rallied in the third, Talbott remained poised, his length and conditioning allowing him to edge ahead in exchanges.
This victory places Talbott as one of the most intriguing prospects in a stacked bantamweight division. A dominant win over a former double champion, regardless of age, carries significant weight. Talbott’s balanced attack signals he might be capable of rising quickly into the rankings. He has all the tools to become a legitimate title threat in the near future with his youth, skill development, and fast-growing fan base.
Cejudo’s Final Walk: A Hall of Fame Career Closes
Henry Cejudo’s final UFC appearance did not go the way he once dreamed it would, but it did reinforce his toughness and warrior spirit. The 38-year-old fought hard despite taking heavy damage and even joked with Dana White after the fight that Talbott had “f***ed me up.” It was classic Cejudo: proud, competitive and able to embrace the moment even in defeat.
Cejudo now walks away from the sport with one of the most decorated resumes in combat sports history. An Olympic gold medalist in wrestling and UFC champion in both the flyweight and bantamweight divisions, he is one of the few athletes to claim gold in both the Olympics and under the UFC banner. Wins over Demetrious Johnson, Marlon Moraes and Dominick Cruz solidified his position as an all-time great in two divisions.
The comeback run following a three-year retirement did not yield any fruit, as he went 0-4 against elites like Aljamain Sterling, Merab Dvalishvili, Song Yadong and now Talbott. That said, Cejudo remained a valued mentor for younger fighters and will continue to coach and advise prospects even in retirement. For a man who reinvented himself several times over, this second exit feels final-but on his terms.
Closing Thoughts
Payton Talbott’s win over Henry Cejudo is more than just the passing of the torch-it underlines the evolving landscape at bantamweight. Talbott showed the skill, grit and growth mindset required to become a future contender, and this win accelerates his climb toward the division’s elite.
Cejudo, on the other hand, leaves behind a legacy that few fighters in history can match: Olympic gold, dual UFC titles, and respect from peers and fans around the world. UFC 323 can be that moment that the fans look back on as Talbott’s arrival and Cejudo’s emotional farewell. It was a fight of eras colliding, one legend being honored, and one star being introduced. And as Cejudo steps away, Talbott steps forward-ready for whatever comes next.
