MMA Match Preview: Henry Cejudo (16-5) vs. Payton Talbott (10-1)
The bantamweight division’s generational showdown lights up the main card of UFC 323 as former two-division champion Henry “Triple C” Cejudo (16-5) faces surging prospect Payton “The Fearless” Talbott (10-1) on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Cejudo, the 38-year-old Olympic gold medalist ranked No. 10, enters what he calls his “final” fight—his second retirement tease—after a three-fight skid that includes a controversial technical decision loss to Song Yadong in February due to a gruesome eye poke. His elite wrestling and tactical IQ remain weapons, but diminished explosiveness and age have fueled doubts about his chin and cardio against youth. Talbott, the 27-year-old Reno phenom, rebounds from his first career loss (a unanimous decision to Raoni Barcelos in January) with a dominant win over Felipe Lima in June, showcasing blistering volume (6.05 significant strikes per minute) and improved takedown defense. Once mentored by Cejudo during his early days, Talbott now aims to “send him off” while crashing the Top 10 rankings. This three-round clash—infused with mentor-turned-rival drama—pits Cejudo’s championship pedigree against Talbott’s length and pace, potentially stealing the show on the UFC’s final ESPN PPV before the 2026 Paramount+ era.
Venue Location
The bout explodes at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada (the Las Vegas Valley), at 3780 South Las Vegas Boulevard. This 20,000-seat fortress, opened in 2016 as the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights’ home, has hosted 18 UFC events, including the riotous UFC 229 (McGregor vs. Khabib) and its post-fight melee. Adjacent to the New York-New York Hotel & Casino and the glittering Strip, it’s a rideshare magnet (Uber/Lyft at Park MGM) and monorail stop (MGM Grand station). Fan highlights include a 360-degree video board, premium suites with fighter access, and concessions like “KO Nachos” and craft bars. As UFC’s ESPN PPV swan song, expect a electric sellout of 19,500+; tickets via Ticketmaster start at $175 for main card uppers, with T-Mobile garage parking at $50/night.
Time: 10:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. PT) for main card (Cejudo-Talbott slotted around 11:30 p.m. ET)
Broadcast: ESPN+ PPV (main card, $79.99), ESPN/ESPN+ (prelims at 8:00 p.m. ET), ESPN+ (early prelims at 6:00 p.m. ET). International via UFC Fight Pass; SiriusXM Fight Nation (Ch. 93) for audio.
Injury Report
Cejudo’s February eye poke saga lingers as his primary concern, but he’s cleared for UFC 323 after ophthalmological approval. Talbott enters unscathed, his January loss injury-free. Both hit 135 lbs cleanly at Friday weigh-ins.
| Fighter | Status | Recent Injury History | Notes |
| Henry Cejudo | Cleared | Eye injury (Feb. 2025 vs. Yadong; corneal abrasion, diplopia, soft tissue damage; indefinite suspension lifted Mar. 2025) | Full clearance; no restrictions, but advocates for eye poke rule changes |
| Payton Talbott | Cleared | None in 2025; minor tweaks post-Jan. loss (resolved by Jun.) | Camp uninterrupted; wrestling upgrades emphasized |
Fighter Matchups
Cejudo’s wrestling (1.84 TD/15 min) exploits Talbott’s 46% striking defense, but Talbott’s 70.5″ reach (vs. 64″) and volume favor standup. Cejudo’s 59% striking defense meets Talbott’s 6.05 SLpM—expect takedown chess with flurries.
Striking: Precision vs. Volume Blitz
Cejudo’s karate-infused boxing (3.82 SLpM, 59% defense) tests Talbott’s pressure (absorbs 3.26/min, 46% defense). Cejudo outlanded Yadong early; Talbott dominated Lima 59-26. Edge: Talbott—reach overwhelms, but Cejudo’s IQ stalls pace.
Grappling: Olympic Control vs. Improved Resistance
Cejudo’s 31% TD accuracy (76% defense) vs. Talbott’s upgrades (stuffed 8/11 vs. Barcelos). Cejudo controlled Sterling; Talbott scrambled vs. Lima. Edge: Cejudo—ties up to neutralize, but Talbott’s explosiveness risks exposure.
Cardio & Durability: Veteran Grind vs. Youthful Surge
Cejudo’s decisions (40% wins) vs. Talbott’s late finishes (Rd. 3 vs. Saaiman). Cejudo absorbed 115 vs. Dvalishvili; Talbott took 62 vs. Barcelos. Edge: Talbott—age gap favors his tank, but Cejudo’s experience shines in wars.
Recent Form
Cejudo is 0-3 since 2023 unretirement: TD loss to Yadong (Feb. 2025, eye poke stoppage), UD to Dvalishvili (Feb. 2024), SD to Sterling (May 2023). Losses highlight fading power, but he remains competitive. Talbott is 2-1 in 2025: UD over Lima (Jun., 59-26 strikes), UD loss to Barcelos (Jan., 8 TDs absorbed), extending 10-1 overall with finishes in prior UFC wins.
| Last 5 Fights | Record | Key Win | Key Loss | Notes |
| Cejudo | 0-3-0 | N/A | L-TD vs. Yadong (Feb. 2025) | 100% decisions; 3.82 SLpM avg. |
| Talbott | 2-1-0 | W-UD vs. Lima (Jun. 2025) | L-UD vs. Barcelos (Jan. 2025) | 67% decisions; 6.05 SLpM avg. |
Fight History
First meeting—no priors. Cejudo’s UFC: 10-5, wins over Dillashaw, Moraes; losses to Dvalishvili, Sterling. Talbott’s UFC: 4-1, TKOs over Saaiman, Ghemmouri; UD over Lima. Common foes: None direct, but Talbott’s loss mirrors Cejudo’s grappling woes.
| Date | Cejudo Result | Talbott Result | Notes |
| N/A | First meeting | First meeting | Cejudo 10-5 UFC; Talbott 4-1 UFC |
Betting Trends
Cejudo 0-3 SU last 3, 1-2 ATS; public fades him (65% on favorites), 2-1 Over. He’s 0-3 as underdog post-retirement. Talbott 4-1 SU UFC, 3-2 ATS; sharps on -275 (60% handle), 3-2 Over. Analogs: Cejudo 2-3 vs. +200 dogs; Talbott 2-0 as fave post-loss. Public 62% Talbott ML; trends favor Over 2.5 (Cejudo 100% decisions lately).
Trends: Cejudo 3/3 Over 2.5; Talbott 4/5 Over 2.5. Cejudo 0-3 SU 2025; Talbott 2-1 SU 2025.
FIGHT ODDS
Henry Cejudo + 225
Payton Talbott – 275
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, December 5, 2025
