
The featured prelim at Saturday’s UFC 311 in Los Angeles saw Payton Talbott take on Raoni Barcelos in a bantamweight bout.
Talbott, 26, was a blue chipper undefeated through his first three fights in the promotion, and nine overall. He was getting a solid step up in competition opposite Brazil’s Barcelos, a decade older and with the UFC since 2018. Prior to the fight, Barcelos said he wasn’t going to stand and bang with Talbott, and expressed wanting to takedown Talbott in this fight.
Barcelos immediately latched onto a single leg attempt to start the bout. While Talbott was able to stuff the initial attempt, Barcelos was successful in his mission of taking Talbott down. The Brazilian veteran was able to dig in hooks and take the back of Talbott, attacking a rear naked choke. Barcelos maintained his mount and continued to attempt submissions, but Talbott stayed calm and out of danger. The round ended with Barcelos on the back of Talbott.
Payton Talbott started the second round by gaining control of the centre of the cage and landing a series of straight punches. Barcelos went back to the well, and took Talbott down again. Barcelos was taking Talbott down at will. Towards the end of the 2nd round, Barcelos started to fade, and Talbott was finding the range on his strikes. With 40 seconds left, Barcelos was able to take Talbott down again.
The young prospect took the fight to Barcelos in the third and final round. He landed a judo toss of his own on Barcelos. Barcelos and Talbott were both tired, creating more fun, chaotic scrambles. Both fighters attempted, and landed, heavy strikes. Barcelos felt disrespected by the odd makers, and fought like a man on a mission. Bareclos ended the fight, raining down strikes from top position.
A veteran, statement making performance from the Brazillian. As for Payton Talbott, a step back in competition will be needed. Raoni Barcelos could see himself sneaking into the rankings, after being the third fighter to defeat an unbeaten prospect on the night. Both Rinya Nakamura and Clayton Carpenter also lost their 0s at UFC 311.
Official result: Raoni Barcelos def. Payton Talbott by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)