LAS VEGAS – Payton Talbott earned the first submission win of his MMA career on Saturday – and did it on the biggest stage thus far against Nick Aguirre at UFC Fight Night 232.
With Aguirre (7-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC) determined to grapple, he landed a big takedown early and drained the clock over the first round. Talbott (6-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) wouldn’t let that happen again, because in the second he turned the tables and controlled position in the second. Then in the final frame, he hurt his opponent with a big kick, got mount position and locked in the fight-ending rear-naked choke at the 0:58 mark of Round 3 at the UFC Apex.
Check out the replay of Talbott’s effort below (via X):
The victory dances continue at #UFCVegas82 🕺@PaytonTalbott gets the submission victory in UFC debut! pic.twitter.com/Ty1yXopo78
— UFC (@ufc) November 18, 2023
What a performance to start off his UFC career 💪@PaytonTalbott | #UFCVegas82 pic.twitter.com/vS6w9PSkvj
— UFC (@ufc) November 18, 2023
At just 25, Talbott lived up to his prospect status in the bantamweight division with the win. He said he wasn’t thrilled with his overall performance, but ultimately got the result he needed.
“I think I learned kind of sloppy in the first round, but I woke up,” Talbott told Paul Felder during his post-fight interview. “I’m my worst critic at the end of the day and no one is harder on me than myself.”
Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 232 results include:
- Payton Talbott def. Nick Aguirre via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 0:58
- Amanda Ribas def. Luana Pinheiro via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 3:53
- Myktybek Orolbai def. Uros Medic via submission (neck crank) – Round 2, 4:12
- Joanderson Brito def. Jonathan Pearce via submission (ninja choke) – Round 2, 3:54
- Jose Johnson def. Chad Anheliger via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 4:49
- Christian Duncan def. Denis Tiuliulin via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:24
- Jeka Saragih def. Lucas Alexander via KO (punches) – Round 1, 1:31
- Ailin Perez def. Lucie Pudilova via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Trey Ogden vs. Nikolas Motta ends in a no contest (referee error) – Round 3, 3:11
- Rafael Estevam def. Charles Johnson via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 232.
