LAS VEGAS – Payton Talbott is not afraid to call for the big names, even though he’s still early into his UFC career.
The bantamweight prospect issues a callout over a battle-tested Adrian Yanez following his latest victory this past Saturday in the preliminary card of UFC 303. Talbott (9-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC), who stopped Yanis Ghemmouri (12-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC) in just 19 seconds, uses his post-fight interview in the cage to shoot his shot at one of the better strikers of the division,
“Adrian Yañez, let’s see if you belong in that top 20,” Talbott said on the mic. “I know I feel I belong there, and I know that’s a good fight for me.”
Later, speaking with reporters at the UFC 303 post-fight press conference, Talbott explained why he had Yanez on his mind.
“I just think that’s a dogfight,” Talbott said. “I just think that’s a tough fight, and we would put on a really good show, and it would just be fireworks. I respect the dude.”
As far as the performance, Talbott is turning many heads in the MMA community. He’s aware of the hype he’s starting to generate, and although the quick finish on Saturday fuled that, he does wish the fight would’ve gone longer.
“Everything is happening superfast,” Talbott said. “It’s kind of bittersweet. I kind of wanted to get more of that fight than I did, but it’s always good to come over prepared.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 303.
