This is the UFC 323 live blog for Henry Cejudo vs. Payton Talbott, the main card bantamweight bout Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
A two-division UFC champion and Olympic gold medalist, Cejudo (16-5) fights for the final time in his illustrious career when he steps into the cage tonight. Cejudo is 0-3 since returning to competition in 2023, with losses to then-champion Aljamain Sterling, future champion Merab Dvalishvili, and top contender Song Yadong. At 38, Cejudo has finally decided to call it a career.
Talbott (10-1) is one of the brightest prospects at 135 pounds. The 27-year-old has had an eventful 2025, suffering his first loss to the more experienced Raoni Barcelos and then bouncing back with a decision win over the highly touted Felipe Lima. Now, Talbott has the chance to put a legend to rest if he can continue to live up to his considerable hype.
Check out the UFC 323 live blog for Henry Cejudo vs. Payton Talbott below.
This is it. The final UFC walk for Henry Cejudo. Soak it in, people!
For Payton Talbott, the chance to add a legend to his young résumé. Can he close the experience gap?
The young gunner Talbott closes as a sizeable favorite at -270 on FanDuel, with Cejudo a +200 underdog.
Chris Tognoni oversees this one.
Fast leg kicks from Cejudo to start. Talbott searches with a long jab. Hard 1-2 by Talbott. Great movement from Talbott, but Cejudo catches him with a leg kick. Talbott looking to launch punches down the middle. Long jab catches Cejudo. Another 1-2 from Talbott, Cejudo too slow to avoid that right now. Talbott with knees to the body as they clinch. Cejudo staying aggressive but he keeps getting tagged going in.
Cejudo complains of an eye poke and we have a pause in the action. It’s brief, Cejudo just wants it on the record. Back at it. Cejudo snatches a kick and scores with a glancing right, briefly taking Talbott down, but he’s back up quickly. Talbott landing, but Cejudo not afraid to trade with him. He’s making the most of his last fight.
Wow, takedown by Talbott off an inside trip! He has 90 seconds to work in Cejudo’s guard. Cejudo works his way to the fence, eating some light ground-and-pound for his troubles. Cejudo on his feet and he is throwing. Another takedown by Talbott to close the round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Talbott.
Wild exchange of punches and somewhere in there, Talbott landed a right hand on the money. Cejudo visibly wobbled as Talbott chases him down, but he appears to recover. Cejudo wins a scramble and ends up on top. He’s in Talbott’s half guard. Cejudo staying patient, working to get into side control, but stays in half guard. Talbott rolling to his front to get into better position to stand up and he gets there with some effort. Cejudo maintaining a body lock. They separate and it’s back to striking with two minutes left in the round.
Nice high kick by Talbott and he follows up with a combination. Body work from Talbott is paying off and he adds in an uppercut. Hard knee from Talbott has Cejudo retreating… or he was until he starts just throwing. Cejudo is bloodied and looks like he’s smiling as they trade in the pocket. Talbott mixing up his shots beautifully. Talbott smiling now. Wild lunges from Cejudo. He lands a couple of good punches. Another Talbott round, but Cejudo is leaving it all out there.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Talbott. Overall, 20-18 Talbott.
