Payton Talbott was one of the biggest betting favorites entering his UFC 311 bout with Raoni Barcelos.
Talbott impressed in his first three UFC appearances, destroying South African prospect Cameron Saaiman in 20 seconds and decimating Yanis Ghemmouri to secure a high-caliber fight. A lot was riding on Talbott's performance leading up to UFC 311, and had he won dominantly, he would have been one of the hottest prospects on the roster.
This collapsed when MMA veteran Barcelos battered Talbott over three rounds for a unanimous decision victory. His wrestling was too much for Talbott, who had just enough experience to make the rounds without getting caught in submissions.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Payton Talbott calls Barcelos' defeat his 'first scar' in first major statement since UFC 311
With the UFC bantamweight featuring wrestling threats like Umar Nurmagomedov, Cory Sandhagen and Merab Dvalishvili, the latter of whom Talbott had drama with, it doesn't paint a good picture of Talbott's chances of cracking the rankings. However, Talbott admits the loss is nothing more than a “scar.”
Talbott admitted on Instagram: “The [veteran] gave me my first scar. May the skin heal itself so that it becomes strong and never splits again. Lucky to have such people in my life. Fortunately, I can learn valuable lessons. Still had fun.”
High hopes for Payton Talbott with the right adjustments
At 26 years old, Talbott has a long career ahead of him if he keeps fighting. Other than having his hands low and chin high to shoot, not much can be said to criticize his striking acuity as he worked Barcelos when they acted on the feet.
But if Talbott plans to compete at bantamweight, he needs to work on his wrestling defense. The Nevada fighter did well to defend Barcelos' submissions, but the three rounds quickly disappeared, as did Talbott's chances of earning a Hail Mary victory.
As UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev suggested to Daniel Cormier's son, Talbott might have to train in Russia for three years and return transformed. It wouldn't be the first long break we've seen in prospects, as most South Korean players, like Chang Sung Jung and Doo Ho Choi, took two years for their mandatory military service.
That may be extreme, but wrestling experience doesn't come easily, and Talbott will need it now that the blueprint has been laid at UFC 311.
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