The UFC will host a big PPV this week with two titles on the line and a heap of former and current champions on the line-up. But it's an up-and-comer on the fight card that UFC fans should be paying extra attention to.
Payton Talbott appears on the preliminary card of UFC 311, where he'll face off with veteran Raoni Barcelos. Talbott earned his contract by defeating Reyes Cortez Jr. on Dana White's Contender Series in August 2023 and has fought three times in the big show since then. His three fights got better each time with his UFC debut ending in a third-round submission, his next a second round TKO, and his latest a 19-second knockout out Yanis Ghemmouri.
He's being touted as one of the most dangerous newcomers to the UFC in 2024 and will look to keep the momentum going in 2025.
37-year-old Barcelos is likely coming to the tail end of his MMA career but could revive his image with a win over Talbott, and that motivation could make his unpredictable for the less-experienced fighter. Barcelos is coming off a submission win in February 2024 but hasn't fought since. He made his promotional debut in 2018 and will need to use his experience against his younger challenge.
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