# Anime, DJ Sets, and Cage Craft: Payton Talbott Returns Against Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 332

**By Rosa Delgado**  \nPublished October 2, 2026  \nUpdated October 2, 2026

> Following a 10-month hiatus after retiring Henry Cejudo, Reno bantamweight Payton Talbott brings his unique mindset and striking volume to UFC 332 against former champion Deiveson Figueiredo.

Ahead of his co-main event clash at UFC 332 inside the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Oct. 3, 2026, Payton Talbott offered a pre-fight media scrum that sounded very little like standard fight week posturing. Preparing to face former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo, the bantamweight spent time discussing his emerging DJ career, anime narratives like *Chainsaw Man* and *Serial Experiments Lain*, and the video games occupying his downtime between training blocks.

That multi-faceted outlook has characterized Talbott's presence in mixed martial arts. After capping 2025 with the biggest win of his career—a victory over former two-division champion Henry Cejudo at UFC 323 in December that pushed the veteran into retirement—Talbott stepped out of the public spotlight. Holding an 11-1 professional record, the Reno native avoided online callouts and self-promotion, choosing a media detox to recharge.

> Payton Talbott: I’ve just been doing me, but I’ve been training a lot and doing the same old things—music, travel. But, yeah, I just took a step back from sharing. You know, you’ve got to keep really important things inside of yourself, or else you could potentially lose them. So, yeah, just detoxing for a second.

## Behind the Ten-Month Hiatus

While the quiet stretch seemed like a self-imposed break from competing, Talbott clarified that matchmakers faced continuous hurdles securing an opponent. Higher-ranked contenders in the top 10 were reluctant to risk their positioning against an unranked, dangerous prospect, while unexpected injuries and event date mismatches further delayed his return.

Waiting nearly a year proved tests of patience for Talbott, who had previously accepted tough matchups just to stay active. That willingness saw him take a late-notice challenge against Raoni Barcelos at UFC 311 in January 2025, resulting in his first career loss via unanimous decision. Talbott quickly rebounded five months later at UFC 317 by earning a unanimous decision win over Felipe Lima, setting up his milestone performance against Cejudo.

## An Unorthodox Origin Story

Talbott's entry into fighting differed from traditional collegiate pipelines. Despite competing in high school football and wrestling, he initially held a skeptical view of combat sports until discovering Conor McGregor highlights on YouTube at age 18.

> Payton Talbott: I used to think of MMA as a barbaric sport and a macho man sport I could never relate to, but when I saw McGregor and just how poetic he made his finishes look, I could relate to that.

Joining the Reno Academy of Combat shortly after, Talbott embraced the intense learning curve. Outside the gym, he completed his education, graduating from the University of Nevada in 2022 with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a minor in music. He also integrated pole sport into his cross-training routine to develop core control and fluid movement, reflecting his philosophy on balancing different physical dynamics inside the octagon.

## The Octagon Resume

Following a 5-0 amateur run that yielded two King of the Cage bantamweight titles, Talbott turned professional in November 2021. He won and twice defended the A1 Combat Bantamweight Championship—stopping Hector Fajardo, Anthony Jimenez, and Cristhian Rivas—before securing his UFC contract on Dana White's Contender Series in August 2023 with a decision victory over Reyes Cortez Jr.

His early UFC path demonstrated fast finishes and dynamic striking:

- **UFC Debut (Nov. 18, 2023):** Submitted Nick Aguirre via third-round rear-naked choke.
- **UFC on ESPN 53 (March 23, 2024):** Finished Cameron Saaiman via second-round TKO to earn a Performance of the Night bonus.
- **UFC 303 (June 29, 2024):** Knocked out Yanis Ghemmouri in 19 seconds of round one for a second bonus.

## Evidence-Led Forecast: Figueiredo vs. Talbott

At UFC 332, Talbott confronts No. 11-ranked Deiveson Figueiredo in a high-stakes co-main event that represents Talbott's opportunity to secure a spot in the bantamweight rankings.

**Decisive Matchup:** Range control will serve as the centerpiece of this contest. Standing 5’10”, Talbott holds a significant height and reach edge over the former 125-pound champion. Talbott will look to establish his rhythm through long straight punches, feints, and high-volume perimeter striking. Figueiredo’s primary path involves closing distance quickly, using explosive power hooks to press Talbott against the cage or trigger reactive takedowns.

**Key Uncertainties:** The primary uncertainty centers on how Talbott manages a 10-month layoff against a seasoned, multi-fight titleholder. If Talbott gets lured into wild exchanges—similar to the tactical errors in his loss to Barcelos—Figueiredo possesses the power and ground skill to capitalized immediately. However, if Talbott maintains distance and avoids unforced brawls, his length and sustained volume present a stiff hurdle for Figueiredo over three rounds.

## Sources

- [populartimelines.com](https://populartimelines.com/timeline/Payton-Talbott/full) — original
- [ourtownreno.com](http://www.ourtownreno.com/our-stories-1/2023/7/11/payton-talbott-getting-to-the-next-level-in-mma-fighting) — original
- [mmamania.com](https://www.mmamania.com/latest-news/465776/video-ufc-332s-payton-talbott-reveals-reasons-behind-2026-inactivity-ahead-of-upcoming-deiveson-figueiredo-showdown) — original
- [yardbarker.com](https://www.yardbarker.com/mma/articles/talbott_on_chainsaw_man_and_dj_career_before_ufc_332/s1_17349_44372481) — original